Teaching Methods
I have used multiple teaching strategies to engage the learner. These include lecture, self learning books/reading, interactive games, question and answer, case studies, group activities, reflective journaling, animations, social media and participation in polls. These various methods contribute to learning in multiple ways and directly relate to my goals for learning. Baseline knowledge can be gained from reading and lecture. Curiosity is developed by engaging the learner in interactive games, use of social media, animations and polls. Finally, critical thinking is developed through case studies, reflective journaling and question and answer when using an open-ended, socratic discussion technique. These various methods of teaching help to develop skills that are so crucial to nurses and nursing today: knowledge, curiosity and critical thinking.
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Use of Innovative Media
In an effort to engage the student of today, teachers need to embrace technology. In undergraduate education, almost 80% of students are between the ages of 18-24. Therefore, these students grew up with technology at their fingertips. A resource that I have used on occasion is polling to spark discussions by using polleverywhere.com. On this website, you can create a poll that students can respond to with text messaging. This shows the poll responses in real time and engages the student with a technology they are all very familiar with.
Use of Games
In some ways, we are all just big kids. Children learn through play but who says that has to stop when we are "grown up"? I find the use of games to be an indispensable tool in education. It engages the learner and allows them to feel more comfortable. It is amazing to see how the attitude of a class can change in an instant when games are introduced.