More time for the students
Spending less time babbiling by being prepared for a lecture leaves lots of time for the students. I like to lay out my lecture, practise the important parts and review right before a lecture. This keeps me fresh and on topic more often than not.
Lizette, It's nice to be able to have a few items that you can reference throughout your lectures. This allows you to free up your memory so you can focus on other things. Powerpoint, books, notes and even access to the internet can make a difference in this area.
Dr. Melissa Read
I too like the powerpoint to trigger my memory and to show pictures. It helps me keep on track too. But I also keep my book out too in case there is someting else I need to add or refer to.
Juan, That sounds like a great system and one that works best for you. Thanks for sharing. Yes, highlighting, underlining and summarizing notes all help in these situations.
Dr. Melissa Read
I also have been teaching the same course for many years. There have been times where I get side tracked and forget where I left off. Having a highlighted book of what you are supposed to cover is a good thing and works every time to not waste time and still have more than enough time for the students and their questions etc..
James, Yes, it's a luxury to have that kind of review time. Sometimes just taking a step back and reminding ourselves about the material can help our performance significantly.
Dr. Melissa Read
I like to look over my power point before I start lecture, it prepare my mind for the subject matter.
Charles, I love your thinking! Sometimes the language we use truly changes everything. In this case, your language implies that you are open to a dialog and not just a one-way conversation. I can understand why your students respond well to this approach.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have found that using the description " discussion and overview rather than lecture can make the students more receptive to the information being presented.I welcome questions and allow students to interactivley participate in the discussion allowing some deveation from the topic but at the same time helping them devolop "think outside the box " skills.
I agree. Even though you teach a specific subject there may be days when your brain is just not working for that day. I think it is a a great idea to have a copy of the course book to help you through that rough patch.
I to do many of the same lectures, it is hard for me to read before every lecture. I use a power point but not in a conventioal sense, i use it more for a trigger, when i get to a certian slide it reminds how i usally cover this subject. I alway try to stay fliud and make good eye contact, i believe it is more personal for the student.
I've been teaching the same subject for 5 years. To this day I still use my copy of the course book in front of me durring a lecture that has notes and "nice to know" in formation that the students can write down.Nice to know are usually tech. tips,specifications and so on. Keeps me on track and focused. I've also used it to get back on track if durring a disscussion we get a little side tracked.
Jennifer, I like your thinking. It's a good idea to refresh ourselves on class topics in advance of student interaction. Once we're in the classroom, our focus should be turned 100% to them.
Dr. Melissa Read
I always review over my lectures beforehand so I can spend the quality time with my students.
excellent,novel idea to grade tests moer efficiently and effectively
Paul, Good to hear. Highlighting can serve as a wonderful method to make you more efficient.
Dr. Melissa Read
i look over the materials highlight sections and and review.
this is the same process I use and seems to work out welkl allowing more time for discussion
