Hi James,
The PAL is multipurpose. It is great for engagement and involvement.
Patricia
Hi Jack,
It is extremely important for the students to know how the course will benefit them. Once the student knows they will benefit, involvement and interest occur.
Patricia
I usually get the students interested and involved in course content by using a 15-minute open forum at the beginning of the course. This has given them more interest in the program and motivated them to seek more knowledge through education in the program.
Jan
Hello James,
What are you going to do different to your syllabi to make them more engaging?
Patricia
Hi James,
I like your ideas of reaching the different type of learners. Keep up the good work!
Patricia
Hi Tanya,
How do you go about getting your students interested and involved in the course?
Patricia
Hi Roberto,
You mentioned teaching to visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners. Based on your response you captured all learners, which is fantastic.
Patricia
Hi Tanya,
What type of group activities do you do to get students involved and interested?
Patricia
I am making sevral groups in class and give group tasks
Craig,
You made a valid point, I teach automobile technology at times I may lecture for two to three hours and notice the expression in some students face which indicates they need to see these objects in living color.In this situation at times I may show certain parts some however, need to go a bit deeper which may involve approaching a vehicle and doing what we discussed or some times a small demonstration will do as well.
Roberto Allen
They are interested , but the courses are difficult.
My students are usually very interested and involved.
Students who have prior knowledge to share impact the classroom environment in many positive ways. Students who may fear the information feel they have a peer that is on the inside track and this shores up their confidence. I also use pictures to help the students embrace the information visually and in appropriate cases use reverse engineering when they can kinesthetically diassemble and reassemble a piece of equipment. It gives me opportunity to give them positive feedback. We all like positive feedback.
Well developed, update syllabi that are filled with creative interest draws the student toward engagement. I want to work more on my syllabi to make them a little more engaging than I feel they are at the present time. Presenter's have a unique impact on the classroom environment because they "make it real" and students love learning with meaning. I try to use them, especially when technical abstract material is presented, to add both meaning and concrete evidence to the discussion. I agree this validates the information and helps the student process it into memory.
We have a very clear and concise syllabus that is part of and is handed out at our orientation on day one of class. After the initial icebreakers we go around the room to have everyone introduce themselves and express their interests, etc and then we go over course in depth and relate how the material can benefit them and their growth especially if they are heading towards a Driveability/SMOG career. Having a SMOG Instructor visit the class early on also validates what we are teaching and the Students can ask questions of the Instructor if they wish to.
The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) you mention in point three is an excellent strategy. I have used this for re-enforcement and to help the class become better engaged with material as well one another.
1. I have my students interact. The students that are already working in a veterinary hospital, I ask them "How does your practice do it" "What are different ways your practice is involved"
2. Fun Trivia. I have noticed if students are lauging and learning, they are going to remember the material more from each other than from the instructor at time.
3. "See one, do one, teach one" During labs I will often show them, have them perform the activity and then teach it to another student.
I have an outline provided to me - however - I do try to personalize the outline for the students in the class. It has benefited by allowing students to have knowledge about the class, the outcome of their personal educational productivity, and also their expectations of me.
Hi Toni,
Do you typically have an outline of each course you teach, and how has the outline benefited you and your students? Great idea about having an outline.
Patricia
I make every effort to relate the material to the real world. This engages the students and tend to keep them interested in giving input into the class that interests them and their peers. I also like to offer open ended questions so the students fee free to offer their own opinions and skills they have learned for the benefit of the class.
I encourage them to use critical thinking skills to go father in the information than what is presented in class and give feedback to me and the class on their knowledge base and newly acquired information.
