I have found that having access to many teaching resources is very realistic in a career oriented college. During externships, students encounter many types of electronics and programs and to have students exposed to the idea of being open to different tools for learning perhaps conditions students to be less afraid of new technologies in the work place.
I believe that with todays students, the more techniques we as instructors employ, the greater chance we have at capturing the interest and attention of the learner, the more successful that student can become.
I feel everyone learns differently these are tool that can be used to enhance ones that can be used to enhance ones understanding by demonstration, having the ability to go back and repeat it if they are unclear on it, allow messaging to ask question when the question arises in them and getting feedback when the student feels it may be too "dumb" a question to ask in class.
As a curriculum transformation process instructor (ctp) at my auto/diesel institute,I have had the pleasure of helping develop new blended learning curriculum for our campuses throughout the U.S. We use a blend of instructor lead class time and have that supported with on-line work. This is what our industry uses for training and we are using this as well to provide our students with learning and getting them acclimated with what they will be seeing/doing in their real world work environment.
Given that the program I teach is accelerated, I spend only six hours a week face-to-face with the students. The extant literature continues to state how blended methods are more effective compared to just traditional or online methods alone. Therefore, I would love to schedule synchronous online sessions to complement the classroom lectures. Additionally, even though my school has purchased an online tutorial application to help our students prepare for their state licensing exams, if we purchased/leased an LMS, then I feel confident that I could create a healthy mix of classroom and online assignments to improve outcomes.
Blended learning techniques are great because they help instructors avoid monotonous teaching styles. Periodicially switching to something new - from lecture, to presentation, to video, to interactive techniques - helps keep students alert and engaged, and provides something for everyone's learning preference.
I think the bottom line is that the more tools that are available in a teacher's "toolbox", the better the chances are that students (of any age) will remain interested and engaged.
Scott,I forgot to tell you that you can Google "Flipped Classrooms" and get lots more information on them. Pick and choose as to what works for you, or adapt as necessary. You may also find more information in educational journals.
Flipped classrooms were originally developed in Denver high schools, but the techniques can be used in almost any classroom. Imagine students being required to view videos, access Web sites, listen to a concert in their out-of-classroom time. Then, during the classroom, the teacher can answer any questions that may have come up during their studies and they can do projects or have discussions based on what they learned outside.
For instance. if anatomy students studeied about veins and arteries outside of class, during class, they might try to locate where surgeons would place filters to stop clots thrown from the legs as a result of phebitis to reach the vital organs of heart, lungs or brain.
Another example: Students studying diesel engines might watch videos on maintenance of some component of the engine. During class time, they could actually practice doing that maintenance without having to spend class room time listening to a lecture.
MaxKnowlege will have a whole course on Flipped Classrooms coming out soon, I'm told, with lots more information.
Any thing else I can help with?
Wendy
I completely agree here. There has to be some teaching in teaching afterall but having ways of keep students involved and interested in learning always makes for better classroom conversations and less Charlie Brown style "womp womp womp".
Isn't story telling our oldest form for conveying teachings, lessons, and information? Showing relevence for what is being learned and how it applies to the student can sometimes provide the glue to make a lesson stick.
I agree with Jonathon, especially about the real example. I also normally try to get the students to repeat and activity examples by having them guide me as a group. I feel this helps to re-enforce the materials and gives them a chance to interact.
There are different learning styles for students. When their age and experiences are taken into consideration it often alters the delivery method for the instructor. It is ultimately the instructors job to assess the learning environment and the students within the environment. Once that step is completed the instructor must decide on the blending learning techniques needed to align with the curriculum.
When assigning group activities to students it is important for them to assign individual roles. All students are given shared responsibility and that prevents one student from doing all of the work. This particular course is giving me new ideas to make sure the classroom remains collaborative and interesting. As a result, the idea of RSS seems to be an effective technique as well as Wikis. Incorporating Wikis will give the students the opportunity to work within the classroom and outside of the classroom.
I agree. I try to fit practical demonstrations, videos and other visual aids in the middle of lectures. Not only do I find that it stimulates a wide range of learning styles, but it breaks up the monotony of lectures and brings relevance to the information. Besides that, I'm no artist so I really need photos and diagrams to help the students visualize equipment that we can't bring into the classroom to use in demonstration.
Angelica,
Please visit this website, it may answer many of your questions:
http://gofrontrow.com/en/products/frontrow-juno/flipped-classroom?gclid=CLv9_t-BybsCFSdp7Aod4h4A1w
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
Where can I learn more about Flipped Classroom techniques? Can you give us and example?
Using blended learning techniques permits more time in class by removing some of the time wasted collecting homework, passing back papers, and giving students feedback on assignments individually (like paper conferences) when all of these things can be done online, outside of class time. This makes every minute of class available for valuable instruction. Additionally, the more engaged students are with curriculum, the more likely they are to succeed in the course and truly grasp concepts.
I love to blend in different techniques because as has been said, you can't meet everyone's learning style. I am taking notes from the other posts about options to try that I have not seen before. Thanks everyone for the great ideas.
Mark,
Teaching hands-on, software-based courses, I can sympathize! I also find each class has a unique personality, so it is very important to be flexible and have a bag of tricks prepared each class period to accommodate both the advanced and not so advanced groups.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
Lisa,
Wonderful! Please come back and share how you have integrated ideas from this course into your teaching repertoire.
Yours in learning,
Theresa Schmitt
