You can help to retain new knowledge by allowing them to apply that knowledge with a hands on activity. Also, not moving too fast through the topics in order that the students have time to let the information "sink in".
Frank,
I agree. The more application that can be made of the content the more relevancy the students will see in the content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Projects, hands on. Re-enforces what is taught in the classroom. I like watching the light bulb come on above their heads.
I help a student retain new knowledge by offering new material in an exciting forum, such as a game or interactive teaching strategy. Then I help them apply the knowlege through hands-on activities and role play. Keeping students interests in learning will allow them to grasp the information easily. A student should be excited to learn new information. It is our job and duty as an instructor to keep that excitement in the classroom.
Mariesol,
This method really increase the content retention for students since they are in fact learning the content twice. Once, as a student and again as the teacher when they explain the topic to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You can teaching a topic or technique, have the student explain the topic to the class and discuss why it is relevant to their career. After the discussion, have them demonstrate the technique with each other.
Ricardo,
I like your approach a lot because it is informative, supportive and instructive yet engaging for the students. This is how a subject area like your should be taught. Your students are benefiting from your experiences while developing their own expertise.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a Pastry Chef Instructor which of course is a very hands on experience. I always tell my students that the thoery behind the techniques and process of pastry making is important but the most important part is when they apply that knowledge with the hands on experience. I know that sometimes my students feel confident when they see my demonstration and think how easy it is and then become frustrated when they try to make the same product and do not have the same success,I tell them not to get disheartened but use it as a learning experience, the main thing for them to realize is where they went wrong, then straight away remake the product applying the correct procedure.
All experiences are an opportunity to learn and improve from.On the other hand when my students understand the theory and apply it when making a particular item and that product comes out great, it is very satisfying to see how proud they are of what they have made.It also makes them eager to learn more complex products, the main thing here is to have a good basis and if at first they do not suceed try and try again , just learn from the mistakes.
Cody,
This is a method that shows both application and relevancy. This increases the engagement of students and helps them to focus on the outcomes they are going to achieve.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to employ the "Lab, lecture, lab" approach to teaching. I think that students learn better if they can see what it is that they will be doing, and then learning about it, then doing it. In my experience, this helps with the "learnativity".
I think it's really important to have students attempt a lab or exercise very soon after introducing a new topic. Just doing "it" (whatever "it" is you're teaching at the time) can help solidify the new information in their minds.
Students who can participate in hands on activities usually grasp the concept and have a better understanding because they can see the practical use for the skills they are learning.
Cory,
Thank you for this insight into how you are able to bring a form of "repetition" to your students by reviewing with them how the courses they have taken has helped them make progress toward their career goals. You are showing the students how they are about to reach the completion of their formal educational journey and begin the start of a new learning experience called a career. This is such an important concept for them to understand. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
in our school, our courses are very short, and full of a constant stream of new information, which sometimes does not build on previous information. It's extremely difficult for us to use repetition to drive home retention of fresh knowledge or skills, as we often don't have the time.
I think the best tool we have in this regard is the flow of our classes overall, and having each successive class bring up previous information and learning.
I teach at the very end of the program, and try to reference as much of their previous learning as possible.
I've been told many times that my class "really brings it all together" for my students
Shalonda,
Good strategies for engaging the students in the learning process. Case studies enable students to see relevancy to and application of the content that has been shared with the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Case scenerios are a wonderful way of allowing the students to apply the information they have learned. Another thing that I do is give them NCLEX questions to answer.
Sharon,
Personal application of content is essential for knowledge retention. The more they can see relevancy the more they see the ROI in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find a good way to help students retain and apply new information is to help them apply in a personal way. If we are discussing a specific topic that a student in the class can relate to I allow them to tell their story and we discuss outcomes or practices based on student experiences. This helps students recall and remember the information they have learned.
Rod,
The more senses and repetitions we can engage our students in the greater the retention of content will be. Your point is a good one and something we need to remember as we do our instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To help student retain what they have learned it is helpful to have lots of hands on activities. These hands on activities not only help the studenet retain the new information, but it also help them to apply the new knowledge to the activity at hand.
