Learning from students
Generating class discussion can be important for many reasons. I helps get them engauged with the lesson, keeps them focused, and
the instructor can learn what the are interested in. That information can be useful for guiding the lesson to keep students interest.
Learning requires communication Communication requires 2-way interaction. Therefore in my opinion you are right. The instructor will learn while they engage their students. The students may offer intresting new ideas within the subject matter; or the instructor might learn how to improve lesson plans based upon student outcomes.
@lgrubb
One of the classes I teach is, for the most part, pure lecture. Luckily, the subject matter (motorcycle mechanics) is one in which most are highly interested in. The age of the students varies from teenage to their 50’s; in addition, their mechanical aptitude and experience vary greatly. Due to their passion for motorcycles, I find generating discussions in the classroom is not a difficult process, even for those used to learning in a more traditional manner (brick and mortar with an orator). During the lectures I offer many learning platforms and opportunities for instructor-student interaction and I have developed several hands on projects that I use during the lectures. Because of the interaction I have during the lectures/labs, I am not concerned whether or not the students are be able to effectively demonstrate subject knowledge due to the kinesthetic learning and my interaction with thee class. Over the last 25 years of teaching, despite the occasionally restrictive nature of the learning environment, it is possible to engage and interact with students and I agree that it is imperative that facilitators understand how to incorporate meaningful discussion into lectures along with hands on projects.
One of the classes I teach is, for the most part, pure lecture. Luckily, the subject matter (motorcycle mechanics) is one in which most are highly interested in. The age of the students varies from teenage to their 50’s; in addition, their mechanical aptitude and experience vary greatly. Due to their passion for motorcycles, I find generating discussions in the classroom is not a difficult process, even for those used to learning in a more traditional manner (brick and mortar with an orator). During the lectures I offer many learning platforms and opportunities for instructor-student interaction and I have developed several hands on projects that I use during the lectures. Because of the interaction I have during the lectures/labs, I am not concerned whether or not the students are be able to effectively demonstrate subject knowledge due to the kinesthetic learning and my interaction with thee class. Over the last 25 years of teaching, despite the occasionally restrictive nature of the learning environment, it is possible to engage and interact with students and I agree that it is imperative that facilitators understand how to incorporate meaningful discussion into lectures along with hands on projects.
As an electrical instructor it is key that I be able to identify the number of different learning styles present in my class. There are those that seem to just "get it" and those that seem to struggle with it the entire time. Identifing how each person learns makes it easier for me to determine who needs analogies to visualize the concepts versus who needs the more broken down step by step approach.
@jhixonI like to give analogies for everyone, as sometimes you may think you know someones learning abilities especially when new students come aboard.
I always start my class with discussion. If you can get the students involved from the very begining then I think the class will move more smoothly. Get them thinking and involved as early as possible.
