With each passing semester I reflect back on the lessons that I learn, as a "student" of the students in my classes. I have learned something from every one of my students in the various iterations of courses. Students in the evening college classes have a different "feel" than the ones who take the weekend college classes. While there are many who do both, or prefer one type of adult education classes over the other, the "personality" of the group dynamic is quite different.
Maybe it is bring a small group of people together for 6-8 hours per day (in a weekend class) that makes the bonding a little bit easier. It could be the style of the class itself, I know that my weekend sessions tend to be much more conversational in their feel, not so much "lecture" (although I must admit there is a fair amount of that at times).
This past semester I used the "harkness table" method for the group. We pushed the tables together to form a large rectangle and each student (and myself as well) sat facing the entire group. While I had a well planned schedule for each day, I found that we were able to cover more of the course materials using conversation (noting that people had made the commitment to read the text materials due each day) and discussing different perspectives. Each person was more able to get involved in the discussion and the "spotlight" wasn't on them in terms of "speaking in front of the class". I noticed a few other striking behavior differences.
Suddenly, students were talking to each other rather than answering my question directly to me. They were getting into exchanges of ideas with their peers. They were drawing each other into the conversation. Everyone was getting involved and in some situations the discussions were so lively I had to intervene to keep the classroom sound down to a "dull roar" so we didn't disturb other classes in the building.
What started to occur was that every student in the program, and there were 11 (12 if you count me as the instructor) had 11 instructors. It was amazing. I looked for snippets of conversations that I could use to stimulate more conversation. I kept track of areas that were being discussed and when they were critical success factors for the class (part of the learning objectives) I had the class get into small discussion groups to explore more ardently, the topic at hand and bring their discussion results back to the larger group. Everyone was highly engaged. The time flew by and the students were amazed at the depth and breadth of the materials we covered in the class. They discussed and challenged each other and myself. They pondered how they would work their new found knowledge into their every day environment. They wanted to engage outside of the classroom and each weekend brought new insights, from their application of knowledge to their work, back into the class.
Maybe this is the new deal of the "Adult Continuing Education Programs". Everyone walks away changed by what they learned, brings their knowledge to the field, and continues their education through their career opportunities.
I'll be using the "harkness table" model in other classes (including ones that meet evenings every week) and see if there is a difference in how the group bonds and if small group exercises and projects have similar results.
I'll keep everyone posted.....
Maybe it is bring a small group of people together for 6-8 hours per day (in a weekend class) that makes the bonding a little bit easier. It could be the style of the class itself, I know that my weekend sessions tend to be much more conversational in their feel, not so much "lecture" (although I must admit there is a fair amount of that at times).
This past semester I used the "harkness table" method for the group. We pushed the tables together to form a large rectangle and each student (and myself as well) sat facing the entire group. While I had a well planned schedule for each day, I found that we were able to cover more of the course materials using conversation (noting that people had made the commitment to read the text materials due each day) and discussing different perspectives. Each person was more able to get involved in the discussion and the "spotlight" wasn't on them in terms of "speaking in front of the class". I noticed a few other striking behavior differences.
Suddenly, students were talking to each other rather than answering my question directly to me. They were getting into exchanges of ideas with their peers. They were drawing each other into the conversation. Everyone was getting involved and in some situations the discussions were so lively I had to intervene to keep the classroom sound down to a "dull roar" so we didn't disturb other classes in the building.
What started to occur was that every student in the program, and there were 11 (12 if you count me as the instructor) had 11 instructors. It was amazing. I looked for snippets of conversations that I could use to stimulate more conversation. I kept track of areas that were being discussed and when they were critical success factors for the class (part of the learning objectives) I had the class get into small discussion groups to explore more ardently, the topic at hand and bring their discussion results back to the larger group. Everyone was highly engaged. The time flew by and the students were amazed at the depth and breadth of the materials we covered in the class. They discussed and challenged each other and myself. They pondered how they would work their new found knowledge into their every day environment. They wanted to engage outside of the classroom and each weekend brought new insights, from their application of knowledge to their work, back into the class.
Maybe this is the new deal of the "Adult Continuing Education Programs". Everyone walks away changed by what they learned, brings their knowledge to the field, and continues their education through their career opportunities.
I'll be using the "harkness table" model in other classes (including ones that meet evenings every week) and see if there is a difference in how the group bonds and if small group exercises and projects have similar results.
I'll keep everyone posted.....
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