I am a more visual and tactical learner. I have always enjoyed teachers and facilitators who are able to incorporate a variety teaching styles and activities that could capture and maintain my attention. I normally disengage during lengthy lectures. When I was an undergraduate student, I would have to make myself stay focus by talking quietly. I would repeat stay focus on Design, Nutrition, etc. These professors normally had monotone voices and they rarely deviated from lecturing. For me, these classes were a form of torture. Therefore, I have a better understanding of why it is important to incorporate variety in your lesson planning. As regards to presentations, it is important that the classroom, audience, etc. are fully engaged. Ideally, I would like for the presenter to ask questions and really dialogue with the audience throughout the presentation. I also enjoy facilitators who are able to make their lessons or whatever they are presenting relevant or practical. Many times if I do not understand the relevance; I am not very interested in the material. In these moments, my mind has to override my will.
Great observations, Alicia. It takes a lot of planning, and sometimes rehearsing, to create engaging lectures. I find myself cringing when I hear someone is going to "lecture."
ReplyDeleteOne of the neat things coming from Apple's iTunes University is the ability for anyone to have access to some amazing teachers from leading institutions around the world. You can "sit in" on a lecture topic of your choice, and since it is basically a podcast, can absorb the information as fast or as slow as you like. And even break up your listening sessions into nice chunks.
Have you ever gone into iTunes to find a podcast that interests you?
Joanne