Unit 10 - ICT to Support...

Helping students to develop communication skills, either written, oral or representational, is another important element of the teaching experience . Especially where the assignment is formative, our main teaching tools are feedback and encouragement.

Through their courses students need to develop transferable skills. These include: 

• interview skills and the ability to “think on your feet";

 • how to write well;

 • confidence with presentations;

 • critical analysis; 

• Group work skills.

Here are some principles to engage audience to the learners

Principle 1: CONNECT Build rapport with your students. Students who feel connected to you are much more willing to devote time and energy to your class • Have students introduce one another. • Have students write down two adjectives describing themselves. • Have the students say something memorable about themselves. • Ask students why they are taking the class. 

Principle 2: ENGAGE Arouse student interest in your class’ topics. Remember: There is no learning without engagement. Begin your class with a bang: Consider starting off each session with: • A provocative quotation or statistic • An anecdote • A paradox • A problem • A news story. You might trigger engagement throughout your session with audio-visual materials including art works or film clips, or with simulations.

 Principle 3: FOCUS Formulate clear objectives for each class session and present your students with a well-organized agenda. Students crave clarity, substance, and organization.

 Principle 4: VARY Present information in multiple ways. Your pedagogical approach might include lectures, discussions, visuals, problem solving, short readings, and other activities.

 Principle 5: INCLUDE Involve all students in classroom activities. Effective methods for encouraging participation include brainstorming, small group work, debates, classroom surveys, and role playing exercises. 

Principle 6: INVOLVE Foster active participation. After all, students learn most when they are actively engaged in inquiry, rather than passive recipients of information. You can get students involved in various ways, such as case studies and activities emphasizing inquiry and problem solving.

Principle 7: SHARE To give students ownership of the course material, share your grading rubrics and your learning strategies and tips with them. 

Principle 8: ALIGN Align your assignments and exams with your learning objectives

Principle 9: ASSESS Monitor student learning throughout the semester and adapt your teaching based on your findings.

 Principle 10: REFLECT Create opportunities for students to reflect on their own reasoning and learning. 

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