I've used variations of a couple of these in my Critical Thinking class. There is actually a book that I use called "The Pig That Wants to be Eaten." It is a book of 100 thought experiments based on philosophical questions. The questions are put into action in various scenarios. The best part is that only one has a concrete right/wrong answer. All the rest are debatable and usually fun.
I like to stimulate my student by having jeopardy powerpoint games.
Lisa, getting them to do as well as watch will improve your learner engagement and memory of the content. Thanks for sharing.
I'm glad you are already using many activities that are hands on.
I am a mixture of visual and hearing teaching style. I utilize items from the lab to go along with the topic in the textbook for visual aids along with video, writing on the board and power point at times. I like to show the students what I am talking about and how it is used in surgery, how it comes packaged and so on. When we discuss the Principles of Aseptic Technique, I demonstrate all of them, but this time I may give each of the class one in which to demonstrate to the rest of the class, this way it may help them understand it better.
i usually do a hands on along with the lecture, bringing in to the classroom various items that I want to teach about and then pass them around the room so that each student can touch and feel them and then the next class period give a small quiz on it. I really like all of the ideas for teaching different ways for you to engage the students. I like the vacation one and the brush with fame the best. I intend to incorporate them this next quarter.
Pandora, I'm glad you have gained some new teaching ideas for your courses. Thank you for your king words.
Which teaching strategy fits my teaching style?
Since I teach leadership and critical thinking I can relate to each of the teaching strategies presented in this course. Many of them I utilize in my teaching. I have obtained many from your course that I will utilize. Why? So many of the students find leadership and critical thinking boring perhaps by utilizing some of the strategies you offered will make it interesting and fun. I found the entire course fascinating.These strategies will greatly improve my teaching style.
I agree Marvin, this is one activity that I plan to use with my clinical course.
I like to stimulate my students brains by using various powerpoint games.
Tawanda, I too teach medical assistants and have used the "Weakest Think" activity with them on a number of occasions. The part I love best is how creative people can get with their critical thinking. Specifically, the example Michele used regarding the pill that falls on the floor. Initially, all of the students were dead on with the "Not in a Million Years" option until one student remarked, "wait, wait, where are we because the location changes everything. For instance, if the patient were in his/her home, you could approach them and tell them the pill had been dropped on the kitchen floor and let them decided whether or not to take it". It really opened up a world of possibilities for discussion and engaged the whole room in a cascade of "what-if's". Overwhelmingly, the students moved that piece of paper from "Not in a Million Years" to "It Depends". I love it!! It makes me smile! As an added extra bonus, I had the opportunity to hear/see/experience Michele Deck last summer in PA and I must say she had us learning and rolling at the same time. Taught a room full of people CPR in 9 minutes. AMAZING!!! Good stuff.
I like the weakest think and the patterns of thinking. I actually used a similar pattern for learning a topic of Intake and Output and four letters that represented fluid output. Students had a great learning experience from this.
Jennifer, I am glad to hear your positive response to these teaching ideas.
Actually, I found these suggestions greatly helpful...especially the idea of applying them in the middle of teaching. I often use something as an activator in the beginning of class, but rarely a short activity in the middle of class. I've also struggled with not having all the tools to teach a lesson, so the wheel of tools is a great idea...I'd like to see how that works out!
Application of content learned is the way to see if students understand at a decision making level.
use real world examples from a video (you-tube)
and ask students to apply their knowledge to
the situation presented.
I feel all the individual teaching strategies presented are helpful and could be utilized to enrich a classroom presentation. I also feel that most classes should include some component of a "lab" or activity where the students can demonstrate an understanding of a concept and be able to demonstrate ciritcal thinking. Many of these strategies are not just presenting or demonstrating information or a concept but also accessing the students understanding and competency in a very safe environment.
Michael, I like to use cartoons and quotes as an opening to set a positive tone.
For an "ice-breaker" I have used cartoons or pictures before starting into lecture for the day. But I like the Thinking-Puzzle to engage the thinking process. Also, The Weakest Think is probably the most practical in critical thinking with real-life scenerios is so important before the students start treating patients. Will definitely be implementing this with my next class.
I think all of the teaching strategies presented in this module are great for breaking up the monotony and a great way to capture attention and engage the thinking process in a new and different way.
I personally thought the "vacation" exercise was a great way to teach students the importance of utilizing all of your senses in your assessment skills. This seems like an appropriate exercise for clinicals, and I look forward to implementing this as well as other appropriate exercises into my teaching strategy.
