This blog is intended for group B students of EDM 510 spring '10 and is a practice exercise.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Engaging students while insuring learning.
We are all familiar with the end of the quarter ants in the pants. Students feel like they are done and don't need to do any more work. They fight you every step of the way of the last week of the quarter and comments such as "Isn't the quarter over?" or "I didn't bring anything to class today" fill the air. With end of the quarter tests looming and students getting restless as the novelty of school is starting to wear off, what is the most effective way to review the quarter's objective for any subject?
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I think the best and perhaps most effective way is to give your students a list of terms and important information that has been taught over the quarter. Then by playing a review game such as Jeopardy would be a great way to reinforce the information before the exam and help the students make the connections with the material one last time with the teacher.
ReplyDeleteI always liked general reviews for tests with class participation. Also, breaking class into groups for study sessions with a review sheet is a good way for exam preparation. In the end, in my opinion, if you want students to learn and take ownership of specific information, then allow them to have a general idea of what will be tested.
ReplyDeleteI think that breaking up the class into study groups would a good start. I would have to predetermine the groups of course. It will be interesting to see how they handle the dynamics of the group.
ReplyDeleteI use group activities to review comprehensive information for exams. I allow them to use old tests and worksheet, really everything in their notebooks during the review. I break the class into groups of 3 or 4 students and randomly ask questions from the lessons covered during the quarter. We make it like a game show, the students like the competition, and usually stay involved so their team can get the most answers correct. Anything that gives students a change from the same old everyday class.
ReplyDeleteA good way to get the students going is to put them in groups. Give each group a topic that is going to be on the test. Have each group to come up with different question for their topic. When done each group will take turns asking the class their questions. This could be fun if the teacher sets it up like family feud. Also the teacher can use some of the questions that the students came up with for test questions.
ReplyDeleteI feel an effective way to motivate students in finishing up, seeing the quarter through; would be to pair off into small 4-5 member, manageable groups and have each group address important topics or issues covered in their unit(s) of study. The assignment would require each group to correlate a personal experience outside the classroom with each (predetermined) topic covered in their lessons; then present how those experiences related to what they learned with the entire class. Class discussion: question and answer period can follow each presentation. This exercise can take as many class periods as necessary, and could cover as many topics deemed important; providing an observable means for assessing any learning achieved. Adjustments for additional teaching to cover areas that appear lacking or misunderstood can easily be made to accommodate any weaknesses. Very interactive and promotes collaborative student participation.
ReplyDeleteI am dealing with this this week. What I am doing is pulling small groups, reviewing by using the smart board, and providing study guides to keep them engaged all week. It is very difficult to keep the momentum moving when they are done with it all. I am teaching 2 math classes, and I'm wore out by the time I get my 2nd class because it was hard enough keeping them engaged in the first class. I think that using the computers, smart boards, and pulling small groups still keeps them engaged. Have a review game on the computer they can do, have peer tutoring by completing a study guide, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think allowing a few groups to work on the computers while they rotate using the smart board is a good idea. Or maybe I can set up stations with computers and let them practice different skills at each station.
ReplyDeleteI think that the more interactive the review, the better! Students can take the opportunity to further research information on a computer or in texts, work together to present a comprehensive look at what they've gained over the semester or quarter, or simply play a game of review jeopardy or basketball to keep them excited.
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