Get Your Students Hired
Oh, I like that idea. While working through this course I thought of making an "Additional Guidelines" handout - something other that what the college wants handed out - to assist the students in understanding what I expect and will do. I think a fill-in the blank as I go over it would give them some attachment to it. Thanks.
Hi Matthew,
Well said. Handouts have to be made a part of the instructional process or they are nothing more than just some more reading to be done.
Gary
I find that "Handouts" only work if the students are able to get involved while doing them. Printed words on paper will not work for all my students. If I have my students fill in blanks or define certain words or concepts, I have a greater success.
Robert,
Handouts are a very important teaching tool and the students should take them seriously, but as instuctors it is our job to insure they do.
I'm sure I am at the point where I can memorize the entire assignment page of my handout.
Hi Lori,
The key point about handouts is that they must be an integral part of the course or they have no value to the students. If they are not used they will soon become something to be discarded upon leaving the class. By referring to them, discussing them and then testing over them they will be seen as an extension of the text, lectures and discussions.
Gary
I AGREE WITH YOU ROBERT. HANDOUTS MUST BE STUDIED AND MEMORIZED; SO THAT, THE STUDENT CAN PUT THEM TO USE WHEN CALLED FOR. IF WE AS INSTRUCTORS GIVE THEM A CERTAIN PATTERN AND THE STUDENT MEMORIZES IT ~ THE STUDENT CAN GET TO PRACTICE ~ HANDS ON ~ WHAT THEY STUDIED.
I would like to add, that it is my opinion, it is important to always add WIFM (what's in it for me) to anything that is given, verbally or written, to your students. I have found that generally with adult learners that if handouts are given to students for their own information and they cannot see some advantage or immiediate usefulness to the item it will end up in the trash. Testing and quizzing are forms of immiediate usefulness but I have also used easter eggs in long texts to verify that the items are read. Other options are items which make the lab work quicker, smoother or have it reveal information in a more usable form.
Hi Fred,
Instructors need to make any supplemental materials a critical part of their courses so the students will take them seriously. I discuss and test over the handouts I use and after a short period of time the students start to see the handouts as integral to the course. It is a conditioning process for sure.
Gary
GARY,I guess what Robert means is that;when we as instructors give students material to study(hand outs or work sheets),they don't take it seriously. They either don't care or forget the material.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your forum comments. I'm not clear on what you mean by "handouts must be studied and memorized". Is this a good thing or not. If a good thing how do you use handouts as instructional tools?
Gary