Strategies to Refocus Learners
What are some strategies you utilize to refocus learners when teaching a long time span of hands-on content?
Music is a great way to remember terms, concepts, etc.
Jon, if one can make dry content more memorable, he/she has done a fine job teaching.
Michele Deck
Making an anagram out of something like the cranial nerves helps to promote memory of actually what the name of the nerve is, and makes i more enjoyable.
Erin, this reinforcement can pay off in student learning.
Michele Deck
I also like to use NCLEX style questions to help reinforce topics we went over in class. I Like the idea of going around the room and asking each student to name 1 thing they learned.
I think that music is also a great way to remember especially anatomy-my students love it
Hudson, you are not only building memory with your repetition, but you are developing their critical thinking skills using it in different ways. Keep up the good work!
Michele Deck
Ruth, since the content is very dry, it is a nice way to spice it up!
Michele Deck
Great idea! I've been planning my med adm lesson this evening and I think I'll incorporate the Macarena!
I teach clinical, didactic, and skills lab, so I do spend a fair amount of time teaching hands-on skills. Because learning nursing skills is a whole new world, it's easy for students to get overwhelmed.
One of the things I've found to refocus learners is repetition, repetition, repetition. Then reinforce what you've repeated.
For example, I always add lab values to each teaching session, including simulation scenarios, writing care plans, and in pre and post-conference at clinical.
It seems that when the students get the same information in different formats and situations, they are able to really get the information into their brains.
I try to not spend more than 35-45 minutes only using 1 technique.
I have in the past made a cake and used candy to create the organelles in the cell. Then you have a party.
Salina, I love the "doing" part of this game that you have described. Thank you for sharing it.
Michele Deck
Generally I will play a game that similar to who wants to be a millionaire but in one of my categories the students have to physically demonstrate the directional term, take the pulse at the correct pulse point, demonstrate the heimlich maneuver etc. Student tend to enjoy this strategy of teaching.
Lisa, the play dough also shows their comprehensive knowledge. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Michele Deck
I try to alternate lecture with some sort of activity. Bingo can be used as a fun way to review. I have also used playdough to have the students create the organs within the digestive system as I teach and talk about each individual organ. It keeps them focused and provides kinisthetic/visual learning.
Valerie, please continue using this successful idea!
Michele Deck
I use a power point jeopardy game or a hangman game.
it makes the learning objectives fun and sparks a competitive motivation amongst the class.
