Common sense
It's not so common anymore. It's easy to take for granted what we have learned and how we learned it. To be able to take a step back and reflect, now that is a great teaching tool!!!
Douglas,
Love your input. Makes us think. Thanks so much.
It IS possible to teach common sense. It's done using what I call "Past-think, present-think, and future-think". Having said that, not everyone can learn common sense, just like everyone cannot learn math!
Paula,
Right on. We can't simply assume things about students. A good audience analysis of our students is awesome.
Thanks for your input.
I too have learned to not "just assume" that that the student is knowledgeable about the class or the course content. Some students have not been given the same opportunities as others and we as instructors have to be flexible and understanding of that. For example, some of my students did not know the basics of saving or uploading documents, what plagariasm is, or even how to write essay papers. So in the beginning of class I post the course policies and procedures and I work with those who are having difficulties in the class.
Paula
Kerry,
Using pre- and post-tests are great ways to assess what the students have learned. Any time we can avoid confusion, the better. Thanks for your input.
A pre-test is a great idea. I teach a technology class online which is challenging if a student has faulty computer equipment, is unaware of how to download and copy files or has little to no basic computer skills. Teaching remotely and having to rely on students' interpretations regarding what error message they are receiving is difficult and takes patience. If I am familiar with a student's level of technological savvy, it will be easier to avoid technical confusion.
Shelly,
Common sense is not common. Ha! I use a pre-test (diagnostic test) on what the students know about the course content. It should be about the content that will be covered in the course. Then you know what they already know and what you may need to spend more time on. Hope this helps.
Common sense...yes, I agree with all of this.
I have learned over time not to take anything for granted in terms of what I think students should know. One of the dangers of teaching the same course for an extended period of time is that you are so used to saying the same things and going over the same material (even if you do try to change it up). I have learned to step back, ask questions, look for student feedback to ensure that the information is clear and that I am not just assuming that they know something.
In what ways do other instructors make sure that they are not taking this for granted? What strategies do you have for ensuring that the information is clear to students, even if it seems like "common sense"?
Leah,
You are right. Reflection on learning is important. Thanks.
I think you have a great point about not taking learning for granted. It is amazing to me how many students present math solutions that make NO sense. For example if you have scores between 0-100 they may submit an average of 350. You have to be able to step back and reflect on how you learned, what made sense to you and how you can use that in teaching. It never occurred to me to explain answers that don't make sense until I stepped back and reflected on these errors.
Sara,
Thanks for helping Stanley out. I use Jing, but SoundCloud will work great.
HI Stanley,
There are various free and some 'not so free programs' out there. You can use 'SoundCloud' to record short audio clips and provide students a hyperlink in an email or the announcement board. There is no need for them to log in, just click and listen.
Hope this helps!
Sara
Hala,
I've always heard, "Common sense is not common." ;-) I do think we can help student think critically about what they are doing and why they are doing it.
I wonder if it is possible to teach common sense? Is this someting we develop through experience, trial and error, or something innate ithn us?
Stanley,
Have a quiz on announcements. There are many people who do a quiz on the syllabus because students don't read it. It's the same for announcements.
Your survey sounds like a good idea, at least worth trying. My problem has always been getting my students to read or even notice announcements that I post. I even try sending everyone an email at the beginning of a session explaining that reading the announcements will make the course easier, save them time, and help them earn a better grade. Still, I can tell that at least 25% never take the time to read my announcements.
Suggestions?
Faith and Diane,
It's great when just a short survey can provide you with so much information. Thanks for brining a common sense idea to the discussion. But remember - common sense is not always common! Ha! ;-)
Hi Diane!
What a great idea giving students a short survey such as this! Sometimes students are not used to providing detailed feedback. After some experience they may have a bit more confidence.
Sometimes we take what we think of as common sense for granted! :o)
Diane,
Have you ever heard the comment "Common sense is not common." ;=} It's true. About three weeks into my classes I ask students to anonymously complete a short survey - What should I stop doing? Start doing? Continue doing? I ask again about week eight. When they get used to providing feedback, they tend to give more at the end of the year. It works for me. I ask specific questions as well at the end such as "What was the best thing about this class? and How could this class be improved?"
