Nov 3, 2014

Class Reflection. Noticed by Ülle. Comment Oct. 24, 2014


During our task about teaching an item the participants used several methods that might have positive influence to the teaching-learning process:

o   Activation of the students from the very beginning of the seminar with questions after a short introduction of the subject. During the transmission of new information (put in) the discussion with the audience keeps the attention of the students on the subject and gives the lecturer constant feedback about their receiving and observation capability. This helps the lecturer to specify the focus of his explanation instantly.
o   Linking of basic knowledge with modern applications and achievement in the particular field supports the learning process.
o   Body language, eye contact, optimistic mood, open posture and the sincere will to share the subject with students motivate the audience to keep their attention on the subject and to cooperate in the learning-teaching process.
o   As lecturers, it could be informative to know who we are teaching: what generations exist (baby boomers 1946-1964, x-generation 1965-1977, y-generation 1978-1987, z- generation) and how we approach other people.
o   Usage of the following didactic structure: put in (explain slides) and get out (e. g question-answer) – review (comparison, conclusion). The lecturers have to be technology based nowadays and sort the information. The amount of information is wide and easily available. The lecturers instruct how to go deeper and sort the information.
o   Usage of slides in Prezi format. See more at: http://prezi.com/

The following theories had been presented as professional background information for everyday work:
o   Stages of a teacher´s professional development (by David C. Berliner): novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, expert.
Concerns of teachers on different stages (by Frances F. Fuller): early non-teaching-related concerns, concern about one´s adequacy, concerns about the “task” of teaching, concerns about the “impact” of one´s teaching on students now and in the future.
o   Ways of learning by the use of the head, hand and heart. The outcomes will be knowledge, experience, self-awareness. The possible methods to achieve this outcomes could be: observe, watch, notice, practice, tasks, case studies, create a efficient learning environment.
o   Basic psychological needs in learning environment (by W. Glasser) are fun, success, freedom of choices, security (feel safe) and belonging.
o   The efficiency of telling a story (parable) as a teaching method: the activity creates fun, relaxing atmosphere in learning environment (compare with basic psychological needs), the audience understands the subject, new information appears in fast mind.

The observation of homepages of several Estonian universities in their English version allows the conclusion that the information international students need is mostly presented in logical way and in adequate quantity. 

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