Designing an Activity
I like the idea of designing an activity. It keeps the student engaged and interested, especially if you can involve their peers.
At the culinary college, the difference in student motivation between activity learning in the kitchen lab (positive) and engagement in classroom lectures (negative) is extraordinary. I have used this observation to try and implement more and more "active learning" in classroom lectures.
Virginia,
yes & a good debrief at the end of the activities can greatly help as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am currently teaching a microbiology course without the laboratory part, which is very challenging because most students learn better in lab because of the tactile experience they gain. The idea of incorporating activities in my lecture will definitely need some creativity on my part, but it is feasible. I believe that the extra effort on my part will be better for my students in the long run.
kenneth,
yes the hands on learning is a great tool to use in our teaching regardless of the generation, while Gen Y seems even more inclined to this teaching style.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
i also teach at an automotive school were there can be a large difference in the ages of the students in a class. regardless of the ages they all seem to respond very well to the hands on learning in the lab.
I teach at an automotive educational institute. One of the activities that we set up in our lab is a bugged car diagnostic lab. We create a no start scenario and allow the students the challenge of diagnosing what is wrong with the vehicle and why does it not start? They really take what they learn in class and apply it to a real world scenario. They love it. They really get involved and challenge each other in the process. It is also a good way for the instructor to determine who in his class is receiving the information being taught and who is struggling.
Amy,
and this really helps them develop problem solving & critical thinking skills as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
