Using "hands-on" activities in the classroom
Teaching students about instrumentation or processes in the classroom without actually having the actual equipment available can be a challenge. There are innovative ways to "drive home" a concept, process, or procedure oin these circumstances. What innovative means have you used to teach in these challenging situations?
Great question! This is when learning outcomes are critcal so that the outcome is still the goal whle the method or activity changes.
Yes, please share some strategies won't you?
I teach computer classes, and we don't have enough room, or enough spare parts to take apart and put together computers, networks, or the equipment that goes with them. To get the concepts accross, I use simulation software. testout.com provides the necessary video instruction on topics and simulations on every topic they cover. This includes training for A+, Net+, Security+, CCNA, and more. They also cover many Microsoft Certs. The students love it, and we don't have to try to keep a large inventory of components for students to use. I have sample patch panels, and lengths of Cat5 cable to practice making cables or using punch down tools to install cabling in a patch panel. There are many companies that provide this type of online simulation software for use in differnent settings.
