Get Your Students Hired
Ronda,
It sounds as if you have really embraced technology in the classroom! Please come back and let us know how the Facebook page and class blog are received by your classes next term.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
I allow students to look up answers to questions that they don' know the answer to on their smart phones. All of the students these day have a smart phone with the ability to access the internet. finding the answer or at lease know where to look is the key to learning. I allow smart phones to be used.
We utilize iPad tech in and out of the classroom, in the class I occasionally have to Facetime with absent students, out of class the eText book option is available so the students can read and research via the internet material covered during class.
One new technology I find especially useful is online assignment submittal. Not only does it save time from having to collect assignments at the beginning or end of class, but I find it takes some of the perceived pressure of the assignments off of students. Instead of having to rush to finish by the end of class or having to worry about remembering to bring it with them next session, they have the freedom to explore, complete and submit their assignment at their own pace.
I have had my students find Youtube videos for assignments and even done polls in class where the data is collected directly from their phones after a text message. In the future, I plan to create a Facebook page for my students, which I hope will keep them engaged with the end of term project that I would like for them to submit.
When I know that I am going to be showing a web based demo/tutorial or example in class - I make sure that I use some of the tasks and relevant terms in the class prior to showing the media content to reiterate the importance of them. It is amazing how something is true once someone other than a teacher tells you so.
As a technology teacher, I have used online simulation and online forums to engauge my students. I have found that the more that you let them do via technology the more that they remember.
We started a student blog about a year ago. I don't see it being used much. It's really only summaries being posted from the day's lecture. I am hoping this course will give me some ideas to get students more involved in the blog. I think it would be a great place for them to interact with the other students from the other campuses and see if they are having the same struggles/successes all over.
I incorporate ppt, u-tube, facebook, video, document camera, as well as on-line testing and discussions.
Mark,
YouTube has many videos that may assist you with your goal of mastering Excel. I personally find the Motion Training channel very helpful: http:/
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
In the tech-heavy classes that requires computers, we're all using Photoshop, and my desktop is projected which is really great for demos. Beyond that, I've learned how to use Excel to put together grades but am interested in learning on how to use it to make better grade reports that are more automated, and can somehow send grading info on the fly.
Kirsten,
"Clickers" are a lot of fun and can be a great learning experience. Tech gadgets such as this keep class time interactive and promotes conversation among learners.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
Louise,
That is fantastic! I agree a page such as this strengthens the bond faculty members share. Thank you very much for sharing.
Yours in learning,
Theresa Schmitt
Jeffrey,
I find great success when assigning PowerPoints as well. Through trial and error I have designed very detailed project outlines to ensure the presentation demonstrates the student understands the material.
Yours in learning,
Theresa Schmitt
I have used something called turning point technology which the school has purchased. This utilizes clickers which each of the students have to enter their answers to questions I incorporate in a powerpoint. This tallies their answers and projects the percentage of answers for each choice onto the screen so both I and the students can see which areas need to be addressed further. I have also used free jeopardy software online as well as a template for powerpoint. There are free apps which do this as well such as socrative which students can use their smartphones or tablets to answer questions. (all of my students have one of these, if they didn't a laptop can be used in place of this)
In Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I use an interactive virtual dissection program. This allows the student multiple attempts at taking apart and reconstucting the animal body. The repetition builds memory, while the activity itself builds understanding of the location of body parts and their relationship to other parts.
Many of my cohorts create a media page in which they can contact eachother and keep up with school related activities as well as eachother personally. It creates a team environment.
One aspect that has been received well with students is having them create power points on a subject rather than writing term papers. Students appear to become more engaged preparing the power point as opposed to the dreaded, traditional term paper.
Jeff
Maksuda,
Fantastic! I find forums/discussion boards a great tool for keeping students engaged outside of the classroom. I am in the habit of posting two questions a week and asking students to reply to my original post and reply to a classmate. This encourages interaction between the students outside of class time and sparks conversation at the start of each class.
Yours in learning,
Theresa Schmitt
I use powerpoint slides that include not just written information but videos and pictures. I have also used online forums to do case studies, where the student has to read the case study and give their input about them. They can also see what other students have posted.