Chapter 9 - Instructional Media: Chalkboards to Video - CGISS

Suggestion from a Geology instructor:
Encourage collaboration. The students will learn as much
from hashing things out with one another as they will from
you – if not more.
• Pace student progress. Time allotted for labs is frequently
too short and students will not finish unless they are kept on
track. Indicate which parts of the lab absolutely must be
completed during the period. Periodically, you might
announce what they should be working on. Try to keep the
class at roughly the same point, but recognize that students
work at different rates. Try to help groups that are lagging
behind schedule. For those who finish early, encourage
review of the material or discussion of additional questions.
Also, expect some socializing. Early completers might be
encouraged to work with slower groups.
• Provide a sense of closure and clean up. A good
conclusion reinforces learning. It is a time for reflection and
processing observations. Post results on the board and let
the students draw their own conclusions, as part of a class
discussion. If time is short, you can begin this when most
people have finished. Follow-up and completion can be
accomplished as an online activity using threaded
discussion for reflection and exchange. Allow sufficient time
for tidying up. Check that all equipment and utilities such as
gas, air, and water outlets have been turned off. Again,
effective communication with the lab manager will provide
clear guidelines and expectations.
[Adapted with permission from Guidebook for Teaching Labs for
University of Michigan Teaching Assistants: The Center for Research
on Learning and Teaching and The LS&A TA Training and
Development Program.]
Resource -- The Center for Teaching & Learning is a
faculty support organization that can provide technical
assistance as well as course design assistance. For more
information on resources to aid you in designing, developing,
and conducting all or part of a course online or with the
enhancement of various digital media, visit our website or call
644-8004.
Section: Lesson Delivery 154 Chapter 11: Teaching Contexts