getting help
We all need to help the students to understand what they came to learn.
Julie,
yes this is a great way to keep them focused & to keep yourself accountable.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I always make a list on the board of the things we hope to accomplish for the day with a few key things highlited. This gives my students a feeling that they aren't entering into the unknown unarmed. When I do a demo or help them with hands on issues they comment on the fact that I "make things look so easy" I have to remind them that it's easy to me because of the number of times I've done the process. At first it was just as difficult for me and it is for them at this point. The more times you do something the easier it gets.
i agree with stu mennie stories, we need to get info across to help the students fully understand waht they came to learn.
Jeffery,
This is a challenge for sure. Have you tried breaking up the lecture with "mini-demos"? Instead of waiting until after the lecture, interject the demos into the lectures so you are doing some level-checking along the way? I'm not sure if this would work in your situation but it's an idea.
Ryan
Great idea. I think sometimes our students view us as superhumans who were the perfect students. When we can relate stories of our own challenges & "aha" moments in school I think this helps.
Ryan
Yes, never underestimate what you might learn from the students. I often learn as much from them as they do from me.
Ryan
But when the class is set up to follow days of lecture and then days of demo and some are sluggish to participate in the lecture, you ask questions or if they have any questions most don't ask. You then ask questions when you are done with lecture some answer and some say they got it and then do group demos of project and still nothing.Then when they do it by themselves and then they are full of questions and unsure of what to do and then when to do it and the whys and what for as what we went over earlier we end up spending the one on one time with students but what can I do to get this ball rolling to begin with? I think I need to change my ways to adapt to the class?!!
I find using examples from my time in school helps students relate to the importance of staying focused on the goal at hand.
It always helps, you get to know the student's sometimes you even learn from them.
I personally don't think we can ever go wrong with the one-one attention.
Ryan
I think you make a great point regarding those learners who may not be sure what they are trying to learn. An important part of our job.
Ryan
I try to talk to the students one on one to see how I can relay the info they are trying to get and how to show them how to do the projects.
That comes in many forms wether it's hands on or thru books or auditory presentations.Sometimes they aren't even sure what they are trying to learn and it's up to us to guide and initiate.
