I try to keep my classes fun while learning by use of word association games. This helps my students retain info based on common everyday things.
I think it is good to be a learned in my own class because the more I learn the more my students are going to learn. It is easier for me to help others when I have the info fresh.
Lois, I agree that layering the learning works.
Michele Deck
I layer my instruction with repeated review of the layers themselves, while moving ahead. I encourage the students to give the information back to me within minutes of instruction. I believe in review to reinforce; Explanation and rationale lead to understanding which equals retention.
Wouter, I know you are offering your students the opportunity to teach that you did not have, so that one day they can teach.
Michele Deck
I want to be a learner in my own class, because I was not given that opportunity when I actually WAS a student. Now that I am in front of the class, I sometimes feel that there is a gap between what I was taught several years ago, and what I need to teach now. I incorporate competitive groupwork and "jeopardy"-like games. The groups get VERY competitive...It is fun, and keeps the students engaged.
Maureen, find ways to make the content relevant and as hands on as possible, and you will see higher success rates in those who struggle.
Michele Deck
I does feel great when they get what they are learning, however, in some cases wht do we do with those who struggle with a course like Medical Billing?
Jeanie, good teachers learn from the students in their classes.
Michele Deck
James, you have built a variety of involvement into your classes already. Congratulations on the good work!
Michele Deck
To keep things exciting! I am constantly coming across students that I learn from as well. Things that work for one type of student might not necessarly work for another!
I just recently graduated from college for the second time. As an adult learner, maturity helps a person be more focused. I learn by incooporating ideas into hands on practice. I also liked having a power point presentation which enabled me to visalize as well as listen. The interactivity of the teacher with the student body helps to instill the concepts, so yes, I would like to be a learner in my class. Actually I think every teacher is a learner in their own class. We can always learn something if our minds are open to it!
I start every class with an overview of the last class, if anyone has questions, I ask the class to answer. I explain the objectives of the the class I am teaching. I give class projects; some designed for individual or group. I give a quiz every class, I encourage communication with instructor and fellow classmates. I found that I as a student learned from these method.
Justin, real world examples can help those who need to see the relevance of what they are being taught.
Michele Deck
Kimberly, it is an advantage to have a lab as a portion of your class. This is not common, but helpful.
Michele Deck
I would want to be a learner in my own class because I try to give as many practical applications as possible. Rather than just give general theories, I try to give real-world examples so the student can see how it relates to their career field.
I would want to be in a learner in my class for several reasons. First, repetition and review are imperative and that's how I start each class with a brief review of material covered in the previous class. Fifty percent of my class is lab based and I will present the given skill in a PowerPoint and then demonstrate. This helps the visual and tactile learners. Pictures of parasites, blood cells, etc. also help the student’s comprehension prior to actually viewing these items with the microscope. Providing students with a study guide also helps them "dig into" the material to find answers and helps with long term memory skills.
Lynn, you have quite a self awareness perspective which will continue to improve your skills as an instuctor.
Michele Deck
It is important to always be willing to learn something new. It is what makes us better teachers. Everyone should be a "student" their entire lives. I constantly seek feedback from my students so that I can improve the method of delivery of the course content. This is especially important for the classes that I teach over and over - if I allow myself to get bored with the way in which I present, then I allow my students to get bored with the way they are learning; the end result being that they don't learn as well.
My classes are exciting and hands on. We get up, we move around the classroom. We repeat the most important material in different ways. we see it, hear it, write it, talk about it and make sure everyone is involved and understands before moving forward.
