The teaching strategies used
For the last few years I have taught large numbers of students in the lecture theatre. The numbers have been 150 and 250 respectively. Although I have been using lecture more and more in class, I have incorporated the use of clickers for the students to actively participate. I have put a number of questions into my presentations where I ask student to answer as we move through the material. It offers me a chance to check to make sure they are still with me in the lecture and can revisit any areas that there seems to be confusion. I have also used the clickers in class to take attendance and to take small quizzes. This year, I will continue with this method of teaching in the large group and will also be using the clickers in another class as well. I will still continue to ask questions and get feedback from the students during the class. I even try to get them to discuss topic areas in short bursts of time.
NEW: for 2013, I will also be using the technology that student bring to class. I will be engaging the students with laptops, tablets and smart phone to participate with searching the web for information, for gathering articles and even try using tweeting during lectures and guest speakers to generate questions and comments
The biggest change that I have incorporated into my class is something I call paulandhiscamera. These are movies that I make showing me interviewing people from the industry, going to different places like NYC, Hong Kong and this summer Venice and Rome. After the videos, I play a game called one vs. the mob where students try to answer questions about the content of the video. I give out prizes and have found that students are coming to class asking if paulandhiscamera will be there. He has taken on a life of his own. I also do a "Where in the World" where I show a picture of somewhere in the world and students try to guess where it is. I offer prizes in a luck draw throughout the semester.
Paulandhiscamera has his own "you tube page". It is here that I post videos where I can talk to the students about upcoming events in class and important dates. I was having trouble getting students to remember their clickers for class, so I made a music video for them (see above) The video got over 200 hits and that is more than I have in my class. I did see that it was on facebook and received many kudos for the video. The clicker problem reduced significantly.
For the last few years I have taught large numbers of students in the lecture theatre. The numbers have been 150 and 250 respectively. Although I have been using lecture more and more in class, I have incorporated the use of clickers for the students to actively participate. I have put a number of questions into my presentations where I ask student to answer as we move through the material. It offers me a chance to check to make sure they are still with me in the lecture and can revisit any areas that there seems to be confusion. I have also used the clickers in class to take attendance and to take small quizzes. This year, I will continue with this method of teaching in the large group and will also be using the clickers in another class as well. I will still continue to ask questions and get feedback from the students during the class. I even try to get them to discuss topic areas in short bursts of time.
NEW: for 2013, I will also be using the technology that student bring to class. I will be engaging the students with laptops, tablets and smart phone to participate with searching the web for information, for gathering articles and even try using tweeting during lectures and guest speakers to generate questions and comments
The biggest change that I have incorporated into my class is something I call paulandhiscamera. These are movies that I make showing me interviewing people from the industry, going to different places like NYC, Hong Kong and this summer Venice and Rome. After the videos, I play a game called one vs. the mob where students try to answer questions about the content of the video. I give out prizes and have found that students are coming to class asking if paulandhiscamera will be there. He has taken on a life of his own. I also do a "Where in the World" where I show a picture of somewhere in the world and students try to guess where it is. I offer prizes in a luck draw throughout the semester.
Paulandhiscamera has his own "you tube page". It is here that I post videos where I can talk to the students about upcoming events in class and important dates. I was having trouble getting students to remember their clickers for class, so I made a music video for them (see above) The video got over 200 hits and that is more than I have in my class. I did see that it was on facebook and received many kudos for the video. The clicker problem reduced significantly.
Reflection
I believe that I bring everything I have to my classes. I bring in real time examples, using the newspapers of the day, the internet and questioning students. I have a good time in class and this rubs off on the students. There is no question that it becomes more difficult as the size of the class gets larger. The management of the classroom becomes more difficult with students on their cell phones, on their laptops and not having regard for the professor speaking at the front of the class. Class room management is a large topic to improve upon in the future. I still find that the above statement holds true today in 2013/2014. I need to look for ways to get the students with laptops interacting with the lesson instead of looking at Facebook. I am also looking at ways to improve the powerpoints to encourage students to come to class and take notes. The use of You Tube is also being explored. I have also brought in new course software for HRT. 104. I hope that this will engage the students with laptops in class. HTI software is now used in HRT. 104.
SFQs
I have not had any major problems with my SFQs during my 20 years teaching at Humber. Students enjoy my classes, feeling that I am knowledgeable about the subject and well prepared for the classes. They say that the way in which I teach enables them to “get it”. I try not to put things in difficult terms.
I will allow that there are usually 1 or 2 people per semester that hate me. They don’t like my jokes or my style. To tell you the truth, I am not going to worry about 2%.
Comments are still valid for me in 2013/2014.
I believe that I bring everything I have to my classes. I bring in real time examples, using the newspapers of the day, the internet and questioning students. I have a good time in class and this rubs off on the students. There is no question that it becomes more difficult as the size of the class gets larger. The management of the classroom becomes more difficult with students on their cell phones, on their laptops and not having regard for the professor speaking at the front of the class. Class room management is a large topic to improve upon in the future. I still find that the above statement holds true today in 2013/2014. I need to look for ways to get the students with laptops interacting with the lesson instead of looking at Facebook. I am also looking at ways to improve the powerpoints to encourage students to come to class and take notes. The use of You Tube is also being explored. I have also brought in new course software for HRT. 104. I hope that this will engage the students with laptops in class. HTI software is now used in HRT. 104.
SFQs
I have not had any major problems with my SFQs during my 20 years teaching at Humber. Students enjoy my classes, feeling that I am knowledgeable about the subject and well prepared for the classes. They say that the way in which I teach enables them to “get it”. I try not to put things in difficult terms.
I will allow that there are usually 1 or 2 people per semester that hate me. They don’t like my jokes or my style. To tell you the truth, I am not going to worry about 2%.
Comments are still valid for me in 2013/2014.