Teaching Strategies

Note Taking

I looked up different strategies and everything seemed to be similar. This note-taking strategy was actually something I remembered from my junior year history class. I had a very young teacher named Mrs. Pruitt who was very passionate about our learning. When we took notes, she would talk about a certain topic and then have us copy her notes from the board. This helped all –yes it was all students –in her class retain the information she told us. She was patient and waited till the students were done writing. She would rarely try to continue her lesson while we were still writing because she knew we would easily get left behind or miss some very important information.

At the end of the year when we took our TAKS test and the scores came back, Mrs. Pruitt blew away the staff with her students’ scores. Majority of her students only missed two or fewer problems.

Today when I take notes in classes, I wish they would have Mrs. Pruitt’s strategy. I was given all the time to sit and focus on what she was saying and then to have all the time I need to write down what was important.

Active Learning

Mary E James

Active learning is described from the website as “students to talk and listen, read, write, and reflect as they approach course content through problem-solving exercises, informal small groups, simulations, case studies, role playing, and other activities -- all of which require students to apply what they are learning.”

An advantage of this strategy is when students interact with one another it helps their thinking process and also helps students see other views, perspectives or opinions. Also, the students' learning and comprehension is greatly enhanced from active involvement in the learning process. Students benefit from active learning but also enjoy active learning.



http://www.gmu.edu/resources/facstaff/part-time/strategy.html

Teaching Stratagies

Clarissa Martinez-Cottman

Discussion: There are a variety of ways to stimulate discussion. For example, some faculty begin a lesson with a whole group discussion to refresh students memories about the assigned readings. Other faculty find it helpful to have studets list critical points or emerging issues, or generate a set of questions stemming from the assigned readings.
http://www.gmu.edu/resources/facstaff/part-time/strategy.html

I personal loved this suggestion beause it is a causal but usefully way for students to prepare themselves for class. As long as monitored to make sure group converstaion is on topic, its a great way to get students ready for any of the day's lessons without starting things off with a lecture that is sure to put there brains on snooze.

Teaching Strategies

Instructions:

Please google "teaching strategies." Find one great strategy (not just the first one you find) and post it here as a "comment." Please include:

1. The name of the strategy.
2. A brief description of the strategy.
3. Advantages of the strategy.

No duplications, please. If someone has already posted the strategy, you will need to find another one.

This is due by January 25. The purpose is to collaboratively create a collection of stratgies from which our whole class can benefit.