Reading – Lessons for the Gullible Learner
Share the strategies you have used to communicate and connect more effectively with your students.
How have you used technology to engage your students? Share any resources you have created and used.
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Sometime ago I had a group of learners with iPads, so I decided to use Adobe Spark (was free at a time). Simple app allowing quick creation of movies – just take a photo, find a relevant/ funny image online, film a short clip, change titles, add text/ colours/ themes, voice-over, choose music, easy to re-arrange – all in minutes and no training. I arranged everyone in groups around the person with the iPad and the technological expertise – they really enjoyed researching allocated topics, then designing short clips, presenting them in class and posting to social media
As teachers, we need to understand how to use technology to engage your students, especially those of generation X, Y and Z. I often found that students of generation have different needs, and the use of technology needs to be matched with those needs. Sometime, I would refer to different web sites such as You Tube, or Slideshare to illustrate learning points. What are some of those technologies that work with your students?
As a component of assessments in the vocational learning environment it is common now to conduct role plays with learners. This requires an actual one on one discussion with the learner relating to a particular topic. These individual discussions have definitely helped to create a connection between the facilitator and the learner.
One of the challenges we face as teachers today is not long after you have mentioned something in class, some students have already googled the topic as if to check you aren’t full of s**t. I’m fine with this as I never imply to my students that what I say is gospel, I actually think it can be very beneficial as it engages class room discussion which I encourage. Just need to remind students that Wikipedia isn’t the most reliable source of information.
Use of the smart board and then as a communication skill close the eyes, listen to what is being asked so not to be distracted. What do they remember
Listening is an awesome communication skill that I use with my students.
Active listening is so positive.
The strategies will help me to deal with generation X and Y. Thank you for helping me understand the influences and characteristics of the different generations.
Oops — just realised I hadn’t addressed the first part of the question…. I communicate with students in a range of ways to try and ensure a connection with them on an individual basis. I will chat, phone, email, we use ‘get to know you’ games, sticky notes for feedback (left for me at the end of class) and both formal and informal discussions.
I deliver and assess on a Flexible delivery progam – so try to use tech to engage and ‘provoke’ my students into research and learning. I have used Padlets,Kahoots, the internet, you tube, podcasts and music to prompt discussion.
I had never heard of Padlets and Kahoots – than you so much
Hi Sharon
Like Ann had not heard of Padlets or Kahoots. Always something new to investigate
I agree and also encourage my students to us various forms of technology available ie internet, YouTube, etc. I also utilise technology during my lessons as it’s a great way to encourage research and discussion.
Sounds great to me. The use of different tools would surely help in learning.
Sharon, I’d like to visit your classroom. Sounds like you have it all covered! Flexible programs don’t usually allow for a lot of class time and opportunity to get to know your learners, so communication (and various forms) are so important to engage and make them feel connected.
As students of today are already interested and engaged in using technology, as teachers, we have a tool that creates amazing opportunities for the classroom. Here is a link which talks about the top 6 benefits of using technology in the classroom.
https://www.webanywhere.co.uk/blog/2016/02/top-6-benefits-technology-classroom/
Thanks for sharing this link. I agree, technology of today provides us teachers with so many various forms of educating and engaging our students.
Appreciate the sharing.
Thanks for sharing. Technology provides a platform for sharing with students, and could help them in engaging with learning with others.
I think that the last two paragraphs of this article sum it up so well. Social media in particular has changed the communication landscape. It’s difficult to separate reliable information from spin and propaganda. Teaching the skills of evaluation, discernment and critical thinking could perhaps be widened to include not just our younger learners.
Criitcal thought and considering truth is so important in this day and age of ‘fake news’… teaching about reliable sources is also important.
I teach adults and critical thinking is crucial for general life skills as well as classroom participation
Yes, communication via social media and technology is the key to effective teaching and learning. How would you enhance learning with such tools? What are your stories?
I really enjoyed reading “Lessons for the gullible learner” as there are many comments Michael shares here that resonated with me. In my experience teaching Business studies at TAFE, I was often surprised at how many students believed whatever they read/watched on the Internet was true. The strategy that is suggested in this article is very helpful eg Teaching students to use the method of CSI – (Context, Source and Intent) when researching on the Internet. I will be using this in my future teaching practice. As Michael says, Teaching young people the skills of evaluation, discernment and critical thinking… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more with your observation.
It takes some coaxing to make the students aware that not not all you hear or read is correct
I still remember the look on my students’ faces when I took them to the library. The librarian ran a lesson on ‘you can’t believe all you read online’ – she had an article about Yeti sightings (seriously written, with details of witnesses, geo locations etc). It looked real and could really fool…
I think all teachers will have their own preferred style with teaching but I gained a valuable new insight after listening to Michael
I agree and sometimes it is hard to charge your preferred style. I will definitely try to incorporate the suggestions on the presentations in my future deliveries.
I try and chat to each of my students and create a rapport with them and show a genuine interest in what they’re doing.
Hi Peter, I think this is so important – it allows students to have casual conversations and build up trust so when they need to communicate with us the path is clearer!
I know that every Teacher has his or her own ideas for Lesson Plans. However, I have found this resource valuable and I have incorporated some of the suggestions into my own lesson plan preparation.
I will incorporate most of the suggestions when preparing my lesson plans.