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Class Communication and
Participation!
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this issue |
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| TOOL
OF THE MONTH |
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A
better way . . .
You
want people to participate and ask questions .
. . but asking people to raise their hand,
becomes, shall we say, "tiresome."
Signal
Flags can be a playful way for people to
signal that they have something to say.
Students are using them to send these messages
to their teachers:
- I have a question
- I need a break
- I'm finished with the excercise
- I need your help
- I know the answer
- I need some coffee
- Please repeat what you said
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| TIP
OF THE MONTH |
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Shhhhh.
Take a "Soundbreak"!
Use
music to energize lagging attention levels or
soothe and calm your group. According to Chris
Brewer, an expert in using music for learning,
a few minutes of rest and relaxation with
peaceful music can recharge students'
attention levels, just as well as a quick,
energizing activity. Once re-energized,
students are better able to continue to work
effectively.
Brewer
(along with renowned musician Daniel Kobialka)
compiled the CD entitled, Memory
Beat. It brings together musical
selections for a complete learning cycle,
including segments for preparation,
presentation, practice, review, celebration,
and review.
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| TOY
OF THE MONTH |
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Try
out some "INTRA-personal"
communication?
So
many courses focus on "intER-personal
communication" -- helping people
communicate with one another. We think of
these fun Slinky
Note pads as an "intRA-personal
communication" device.
That
is, a way to talk to yourself . . . and
remember what you said. Just jot a note to
yourself, slap it on your notes, and recall
that important point. These are great for the
teacher AND the student. Plus they double as a
great fiddle!
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| SPECIAL
OF THE MONTH |
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Make
yourself heard
If
you are a teacher or trainer, we know you are
no dummy. Still, no matter how smart you are,
this resource is excellent for trainers who
know their stuff and those who don't.
Keep
a copy of
Training
for Dummies in your library for a quick
refresher on conducting needs assessments,
designing training courses, or adapting to
different (even difficult) learning styles.
List
Price: $21.99
Sale
Price: $17.50
Offer good through May 31st.
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| LINK
OF THE MONTH |
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FUNdoing
with Chris Cavert is "bringing humans
together, one game at a time." Cavert is
an Adventure-Based Activity Training and
Resource provider. His site is full of fun
activities for trainers.
Be
sure to check out his "
FUN-E Notebook" -- an archive of
newsletters dedicated to presenting
"Thoughts, Theories, Activities, and
Recommendations pertaining to Adventure-Based
Programming."
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FEATURE:
Generating Participation
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Peter
Renner, EdD
"There will always be some people who
naturally participate and others who sit back
and remain relatively silent. Both present a
challenge."
How
do you encourage shy students or rein in over-
eager hand raisers? How do you start up healthy
discussions where students REALLY listen to one
another?
Peter
Renner, EdD addresses these (and other
questions) in the new edition of his book THE
ART OF TEACHING ADULTS. In this sample chapter
"Generating Participation," he offers
35+ practical activities and approaches to help
you with your group.
For
thirty years, Peter has been teaching in
corporate and higher education classrooms--most
of that time as a facilitator of faculty
development and train-the-trainer workshops.
Chapter
16: Generating Participation |
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