4 ms·

> they don't actively engage with the material. Write notes, or code up short examples, or draw pictures, Do you lecture? I'm an intense scribbler of notes dur

by ci5er 8y ago

> they don't actively engage with the material. Write notes, or code up short examples, or draw pictures, Do you lecture? I'm an intense scribbler of notes during lectures, but I don't (wouldn't) code up examples during a lecture, because it would get in the way of my listening. I guess I'm asking: what is your knowledge delivery system format? "Actively engaged" will take different forms depending on the delivery system...

noelwelsh 8y ago
It varies. Several years ago it was lectures interspersed with exercises. Now we know a lot more about pedagogy we use many tricks: we live code, we get students to vote on questions, we have them work in teams and teach each other, etc. Live coding is a good time to code along. I agree that what actively engaged means will differ depending on student and context.
- ci5er 8y ago
  Interesting. If I had to work with a pair or a team, as an introvert, I would find myself subtly withdrawing from active participation. I like live-coding, and I like active-listening (the latter is absorbing, hoping to understand and the former is testing/verifying/correcting/practicing your understanding, but I like absorbing or total-immersion personal practice. Group exercises get in the way of that (for me - again - I'm probably weird). So, (and I'm thinking about this as I type), I think that I am active, but in my own particular ways. Because I grew up in odd remote/rural circumstances, maybe these habits were habituated because I did not get socialized with normal folk well until my mid-to-late- teens. But, maybe it's genetic? I notice one of my two sons has the same tendencies, and he's lived in an urban/public environment his whole life. What I'm pondering is (beyond the scope of your Scala classes), is whether there are ways to actively engage multiple "types" of people? I'm not just talking about what they call "visual learners" vs "audio learners" (which has largely been debunked?), but ... IDK. I'm trying to assemble a platform for programs that get people to/through their GED, as various states put work requirements on government benefit recipients, and a major hiring block is simply not having a high-school degree. I'd like to make everything as warm and fuzzy and low-friction for everyone as I can - but I don't know how - because (obviously) not everyone is me! :-)
  - noelwelsh 8y ago
    Yes, learning styles have been debunked. The group work falls under the general rubric of "active learning". It's more structured and shorter (20 mins maybe) than the kind of project I was exposed to at school and University (which might have been 6 weeks long, for example.) I can't comment on your particular situation, as I don't know enough context, but in general there is an incredible amount of research on effective teaching methods. I've only started to get into the field in the last few years and I'm far from an expert. Nonetheless, some suggestions: there will be a lot of topic specific research you should probably look at. In addition there is general research on pedagogy. A good starting point is probably https://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influences-effect-sizes-learning-achievement/ https://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influences-effec... This shows: different teaching techniques can have huge effects on outcomes, and there are a lot of different effective techniques you can incorporate. There is some nuance in the techniques so it's worth reading deeper on particular topics (and reading the dissenting opinions!)
    - ci5er 8y ago
      Thanks!
- gkya 8y ago
  I've always hated team work in uni as a humanities student. And I'm not even an introvert type. It's always childish and boring, and makes me detach from the class, if not the entire lesson itself. If it's team work, please make it sth. substantial that inherently requires teamwork.

by ci5er 8y ago

noelwelsh 8y ago

It varies. Several years ago it was lectures interspersed with exercises. Now we know a lot more about pedagogy we use many tricks: we live code, we get students to vote on questions, we have them work in teams and teach each other, etc. Live coding is a good time to code along. I agree that what actively engaged means will differ depending on student and context.

ci5er 8y ago
Interesting. If I had to work with a pair or a team, as an introvert, I would find myself subtly withdrawing from active participation. I like live-coding, and I like active-listening (the latter is absorbing, hoping to understand and the former is testing/verifying/correcting/practicing your understanding, but I like absorbing or total-immersion personal practice. Group exercises get in the way of that (for me - again - I'm probably weird). So, (and I'm thinking about this as I type), I think that I am active, but in my own particular ways. Because I grew up in odd remote/rural circumstances, maybe these habits were habituated because I did not get socialized with normal folk well until my mid-to-late- teens. But, maybe it's genetic? I notice one of my two sons has the same tendencies, and he's lived in an urban/public environment his whole life. What I'm pondering is (beyond the scope of your Scala classes), is whether there are ways to actively engage multiple "types" of people? I'm not just talking about what they call "visual learners" vs "audio learners" (which has largely been debunked?), but ... IDK. I'm trying to assemble a platform for programs that get people to/through their GED, as various states put work requirements on government benefit recipients, and a major hiring block is simply not having a high-school degree. I'd like to make everything as warm and fuzzy and low-friction for everyone as I can - but I don't know how - because (obviously) not everyone is me! :-)
- noelwelsh 8y ago
  Yes, learning styles have been debunked. The group work falls under the general rubric of "active learning". It's more structured and shorter (20 mins maybe) than the kind of project I was exposed to at school and University (which might have been 6 weeks long, for example.) I can't comment on your particular situation, as I don't know enough context, but in general there is an incredible amount of research on effective teaching methods. I've only started to get into the field in the last few years and I'm far from an expert. Nonetheless, some suggestions: there will be a lot of topic specific research you should probably look at. In addition there is general research on pedagogy. A good starting point is probably https://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influences-effect-sizes-learning-achievement/ https://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influences-effec... This shows: different teaching techniques can have huge effects on outcomes, and there are a lot of different effective techniques you can incorporate. There is some nuance in the techniques so it's worth reading deeper on particular topics (and reading the dissenting opinions!)
  - ci5er 8y ago
    Thanks!
gkya 8y ago
I've always hated team work in uni as a humanities student. And I'm not even an introvert type. It's always childish and boring, and makes me detach from the class, if not the entire lesson itself. If it's team work, please make it sth. substantial that inherently requires teamwork.