Jennifer,
this is a great way to get them thinking & to incorporate the modern technology with the class content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find my Gen Y students truly enjoy real life examples, particulary examples that involve social media. With this in mind, I open up all my lectures with a current news story about the restaurant industry ( I teach culinary) that relates to the day's discussion. In all my teacher reviews the students all say they enjoy that the most.
Games in teams works well. I do a quiz review in the form of Jeopardy, half the class against the other half. The test scores have been far better than relying them to study on their own.
Our students have an internet "portal" that they can use to access class content, etc. There is also a forum aspect to the portal site, and I've used it to set up forum discussions among students. I've made this a part of homework to get my students to think about our material outside of class, and to help create some sense of community among the learners. I get excellent participation, and often very thoughtful responses!
My strategies that works is to keep them very busy,as Llyod suggests having alot of parts to the classroom-computer work, demestrations, lots of class participation. Then homework useing IPads, lap tops or even cell phones for research, or communicaton in groups
strategy is to have students complete survey first day of class, obtaining various information that can help in my delivery to the students. sometimes placing various age groups together, then comparing their answers to various projects.allowing students to use their cell phones to obtain information.
I try to keep the powerpoint lecture to a minimum. if i have computers in class my powerpoint are basically a starting point for them to start getting info off of the computer and find some stuff out on their own with minimal guidance and they seem to stay engaged that way.
Brad,
great point made here regarding the value of variety but the constant need for structure!
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Structure in the course but it is imperative that students participate in a variety of learning methods and approaches. As a teacher, I tend to use differnet types of visual, audio, hands on, and collaberative assignments. The more you change things up the better, but, again, you must keep the class structured.
Randall,
this is a great way to use technology to help the students get the fast results/feedback.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I currently use the student portal to post lecture materials, assignments, and grading for my students. Those who require immediate results can check the portal to see their latest grade and accumulative grade for the class. Those who wish to get the information ahead are able to retrieve it at their own pace and can use it to study or have on hand when the material is discussed in class.
David,
this is a great project & assignment & I'm betting the students learn a great deal from these activities.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As part of a final project, I have small teams teach lessons to the class. The team chooses a lesson that is relevant to the course, writes the lesson, and produces a video or series of videos to teach the lesson. Then they make a You Tube page and post the videos. Then they teach the lesson to the class using lecture, demonstration and the video. The lesson includes a quiz and the grade is part of each student's final grade.
I feel I have to work harder to gain their trust. I look young for my age and happen to be vaguely familiar with what they're into. I feel it makes me more approachable.
Chris,
yes, if I teach to the various styles then I should be hitting every learner in the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have always employed group/team assignments. I explain this is a reality of the "work world". Some students do not like group work if a grade is involved. To take away that objection I tell them I reserve the right to grade them individually in the event of a slacker. I have found that group products can be excellent. I also use the group framework for Peer Teaching, which also provides a chance for them to interact with the entire class--and gives them a break from me:-)
I think it's necessary to try to include as many as possible of the various preferred "styles" in every lesson (ie open forum for questions/discussion, small groups, note taking required,some type of active involvement etc...). If we do that, the odds are better that we reach all our students..which, of course, is the goal !!
I have been so inspired with this new info I am going to allow texting in the classroom.
Ted,
this is a great strategy & almost sets it up like a video game in that they choose their path.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
When I assign lab tasks I will usually give out 4 assignments at once and let them decide which one they want to start with and in any order. If they get hung up or bored with a task they can move on and come back to finish that one.
