Get Your Students Hired
I have found with my students,Hands on is much more fun than digging around in the textbook.
I uses a method of showing the students the traing aids first, what application you would find it etc... I pretty much give the lecture in this fashion as to when the actual lecture is happening the students grab the concept and implementation of the aids.
speaking only for myself and my collegues, we are a technical college, which means we are preparing our students to perform tasks,,now while part of our curriculum involves understanding the underlying processes of the systems they will be working on, which is necessary to sharpen their trouble shooting skills,, they are here to learn how to do it, many dont care or want to know why we do it...so being able to communicate to them the reason we teach the theory, and the value of concentrating during lecture so they grasp the theory, can be challenging, but it is the challenge we took on when we accepted our positions as instructors in this environment
I have found in my class there is more involment with hands on projects which makes learning more interesting.
I agree 100%. I am a new instructor and as I have talked about this topic in other forums, I stress out about any lecturing and or text book work we have to do. I know my students prefer to do all of our work hands on and I am more than willing to abide! Knowing that they are getting exactly what they need from it plus some is pretty awesome too.
Some studants that have a hard time getting the concept of your teaching get real excited when they get in to hands on lab. It makes me feel good when they get it.
Hi Frederick,
It is amazing how excited students can get when they see the applications of the content they are learning and then get to try it for themselves. Thanks for sharing this strategy.
Gary
In our classrooms we have the students participate in all of the Demos, "hands on" along with the Instructor. The Instructor actually serves as a facilitator with all the technical information. The students love their involvement in the Demo's and seem to be more excited in doing the work.
Hi Scott,
Sounds like a great plan. You are appealing to the different learning preferences of your students with what you are offering. Should go very well for you.
Gary
Not all students learn the same way. When teaching, a variety of types of learning styles to be presented to the class, to appeal to the different types of learning needs. I am changing my presentations to an activity based, student centered, learning excersize. The students work on activities using equipment, watching demonstrations, looking up information, etc. This way the students use a variety of learning tools to achieve their goals. The activity sheets are arranged to ensure that when answered correctly by the student all topics and concepts are covered.
Hi Brad,
You make a good point. The students need to use a variety of ways to communicate what they are learning.
Gary
Giving students a task that is hands on is great, but we need to have the student at the same time come up with some written information helping them understand what they have just accomplished doing the task.
Hi TJ,
The human brain likes variety so anytime you can combine learning into a several activities you have a greater chance of keeping the learning engaged and focused on the course content.
Gary
I found that combining the 2 helps them learn the material but also helps them learn how to look for information as well.
Luckily, my text books are industry recognized hand books which are incredibly painful to read straight through. By appling problems that require them to go through these books they not only are doing application but are also learning to use these handbooks to solve problems many others would go to their project manager, or instructor to get. I really like problem solvers and people who know enough to know they do not know but can find it in a reduced amount of time.
Hi Bruce,
This is where the application part of learning comes in. The reason students have content to read and learn is so they can apply it later. With them making the application of their newly acquired knowledge they start to realize that you are having them learn material that will enhance their progress in their choses career field.
Gary