Asking students questions instead of telling them answers, praising them in front of the class, group discussions and presentations. Aknowledging each student as they enter the class and learning their names as soon as possible.
Nieva,
Good way to help your students to prepare for the dynamics of the workplace. No matter the career field the ability to work with colleagues and produce positive results is a must. The more you can help them in this area the stronger they are going to be upon graduation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I ask the students how different the classroom is from an office environment. They come up with answers such as different cultural background, different personalities, and the employees work as a team- as members of the company or office.
Then I give them a topics to work on as groups.
After the reporting, I ask the students to give a feed back on how it felt working with group members/ class members.
What each knows will compliment what others don't know.
Thomas,
Students love stories from the field as you have experienced. These stories help to make the content come alive and shows them the value of what they are being taught. This is what makes the course have relevance and application.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree, I tell my students about some experiences that I've had that relates to what we are studying.it really gets their attention.
all for one and one for all
I try to find out as much information as I can about my students in the first week. By doing assignments that let the students interview each other and then introduce their partner to the class, I learn a lot about them that I wouldn't otherwise know. This also helps to bond them as class members.
William,
I like this way of opening a class. It gets everyone relaxed and thinking about the quote that was shared and maybe even a joke so laughter has been shared as well. This is sets the stage for a good class to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At the beginning of class, share a quote of the day; a fact of the day; and/or a recent positive event as an 'ice-breaker' to get the class relaxed and motivated to learn
Kevin,
You are doing a great service to and for your students by helping them to learn how to work with others and understand how to be cooperative.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also guide them in the process of helping eachother and working together. This prepares them for the working environment, where they will have to cooperate with eachother, and work as part of a team.
Carmen,
What kind of activities do you do to get your students ready for the tests? Thanks for sharing with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Very hepful to do some activity before tests.
Learn their names,familiarize with them their interests and know their goals.
I try to encourage collaborative learning by having students try to solve problems by asking questions of each other before they ask me.
I encourage discussion with review questions or throughout lecture. If they can also contribute to ways in which they remember something, it helps the whole class.
Erin,
Remembering and using student names is a sign of respect. When the students respect you you have the foundation for the development of rapport with them and that is the stage for enhanced learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Remembering the students names is a major way to make them feel included. Then, during the class you can make it feel personal when you call on them to participate.
Susan,
Verbal praise is a powerful motivator because it shows the receiving student that you have noticed their work and that you see it as having value, thus the praise. This gets them excited to receive even more praise when they complete their next project. A building process of praise and success. A win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to give them verbal praise for completing a procedure or even helping in the lab, and doing a good job. This encourages them to continue this great behavior, and makes them feel like a valued member of the class.
