Hey Doug,
I would agree whole heartedly with your comments since I teach a similar subject. I do utilize a mixed approach to the subject being taught. I start with having the studnets read relevant material from a related text, discvuss the topic covered to get them on board with terminology and then we use online material primarily for the antimations of the systems and then we procede with lecture and from there to lab. After lab we go into discussion about what we did durring the hands on portion and help them to understand how the item really works to reinforce the material covered durring lecture. This is not quite the traditional hybrid learning they use in college, but it works well for me in the technical field.
Good points, Douglas. Yes, we most often approach teaching in ways that we learn best. We do still have to challenge ourselves to go beyond what we enjoy to meet the needs of our students as well as helping students move beyond their comfort zone as they learn. New technology can help support and mediate as we facilitate this kind of complex process.
Dr. Renyard,
I teach an advanced performance engine building, tuning course. I would say that 95% of my students are hands on learners, like myself and have a hard time staying focused while reading or working on a computer. Group discussions turn into what we call in the racing industry as bench racing sessions. There are more untruths than facts.
As an instructor it is my job to help separate fact from fiction. My students need a more structured environment. I have to be involved, which I am. Engine building is a science, and needs to be approached with logic. A slow logical approach is needed to be successful. Instant gratification just doesn’t happen. You wouldn’t want a medical doctor to learn surgery on a computer without going thru an internship.
I am a mentor, a manager, a motivator and a monitor.
SO, Douglas, how can you ensure that as an instructor you are guiding your students away from the incidental towards what really matters for their learning? What strategies and methods do you use for this?
