Connecting Course Materials to Students’ Needs
By Bruce A. Johnson, Ph.D., MBA
Materials Provided for Your Class
When an adjunct instructor is assigned a course they are often provided with course materials that may include a textbook, syllabus, articles, websites, or other resources. Do you review these materials prior to the start of class? How do you decide that you have been given enough materials to effectively facilitate the process of learning? These initial resources are typically developed by a curriculum designer and provided as a means of helping students meet specific learning objectives. Course materials provide instructors with an effective starting point for facilitation of the class and through the process of interacting with these resources it may become necessary to find supplemental materials that help connect students with the course topics.
Why Course Materials are Important
The course materials provide a foundational knowledge base for students and the instructor to refer to when preparing for assignments and class discussions. A traditional approach to the use of assigned readings requires students to memorize information and recite it for class assessments. These resources can also be utilized as a springboard for learning and knowledge creation when students are encouraged to work with the materials, comprehend
Short URL: http://www.adjunctnation.com/?p=2083
Thank you Dr. Aranoff.
I appreciate the resources.
Sincerely,
Dr. J
Here are a couple of books you may want to check out, that may help your teaching.
“Teaching and Helping Students Think and Do Better”. Here the emphasis is on principles. Teachers must understand how students think, and build from there using the principles.
“Rational Thinking, Government Policies, Science, and Living”. Rational thinking starts with clearly stated principles, continues with logical deductions, and then examines empirical evidence to possibly modify the principles. Here the emphasis is understanding and questioning, avoiding rote learning.