Question about classroom teaching

[pnutmom]

Hello.

I'm an instructor for a Practical Nursing program and will reach my year experience in this position soon. Because I'm only a BSN, I have not had any educator classes and I'm struggling to find a good way to "lecture" my students. I know that supposedly the lecture style is outdated...when I inherited this class it was in a lecture format and thats how the other instructors taught. I started using powerpoint as a different way to lecture but it seems that my director doesn't like that format. I don't want to do straight lecture...any suggestions on how to mix it up alittle. I teach Fundamentals, so we do hands on when the material calls for it.

I appreciate any feedback you may have. For the record, my previous class enjoyed the powerpoints.

[JBudd, MSN]

What is it about power points that she objects to? I consider ppts just an adjunct to lecture. I use them to highlight important points of the lecture, and then discuss what is going on with the info. Don't just read the ppts. It lets students concentrate on what you are saying instead of scribbling furiously while you talk, especially if you post them ahead of time and students bring the print out to class. (Gee, can you tell use of ppts was an entire section of my writeup for field work/student teaching hours a year or so ago ) Also lets you throw up pictures of what to be looking for, such as different stages of skin breakdown, or what different pieces of equipment look like.

Have a friendly sit down with the director over lunch or something, and explore what she has against ppts; and have some literature to back you up on proper use. ie, no more than 3 facts per page, all same font, outline rather than giving the entire set of notes to the student so they are still writing but not constantly, etc.

Case studies are another good technique for lectures, gets the students involved and applying what you were just talking about in "real life" situations.

Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

There is nothing wrong with a good lecture. It is a very legitimate way to share information and many students prefer to hear the basic content before having to apply it. Good lectures are usually well-received by a class. It's dull, dry lectures that are not.

Just spruce it up a bit with case studies, class discussions, maybe a few little class activities, etc. to involve the students in using the information in class rather than just passively hearing it. Personally, I like asking a question or giving a little scenario and asking the class to use the information I just presented to answer it. Some students will speak up and others will not respond ... but even the quiet ones will be thinking of the material and trying to apply it in their heads.

I suggest browsing some book stores to find some books on teaching methods. There are a lot out there (many focusing on teaching and nursing) that will have good suggestions for you to try. As you try them, I recommend trying just 1 "new thing" at a time for just a portion of the class so that your class session doesn't become a confusing mess. Stick to traditional lecture for the rest of the time -- throwing in 1 novel activity a week.

As you see what works well and get comfortable with a few alternatives, you can pick and choose, combine, etc. as appropriate.

[pnutmom]

Thanks for the replies. I actually have found some books specifically geared toward teaching nursing students and am reviewing them.

I think my director is just alittle "old school". She doesn't like alot of change.

And its difficult for me because I'm new, I guess. Trying new things can be hard, especially when you can't really gauge how the student like something.

I appreciate your inputs!

:loveya:

[mommiof2kids]

I, too, am new to teaching in a PN program. My previous director discouraged the use of ppt. She said we were to only read the lecture material to the class and that was good enough. Personally, I found it incredibly boring, even for me! I do use ppt, depending on the course. I also use alot of group exercises. Often I present a case scenario and then pose different questions for the group to answer. In, fundamentals, I used charting exercises alot! As a class, we would "chart" on the board about a patient that I had invented. This really helped them to grasp what information needs to be included in nurses notes and the correct way to document. In med-surg III, I used alot of case scenarios, games, group activities. I found that this was a great way to enhance their critical thinking. Hopefully, your director will be supportive of your teaching methodologies and you'll find what works best for you!

[pnutmom]

Thanks! I'm hoping as I become more confident-I won't have so many issues about the best way to teach and will also be able to see what works and what doesn't.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

consider taking "training for trainers" courses. There are websites to teach in all sorts of industries. I use Bob Pike's newletters and DVD's. You just adjust for your audience.

[SRDAVIS]

I too am new at teaching in a PN program too, I'm teaching Med Surg I and II and where can I get case scenarios and activities I need a way to keep them interested. thanks for the previous post.