Human-Machine Interface

I LOVE THIS!!!! Very soon this technology will be available and I will use it in my classroom!!!!!!

Educating for the future

I came across this YouTube video thanks to this blog. As educators, I think it is important to make a priority of "teaching for judgement" or "teaching for critical thinking". Some of us, educators, do not want to use the so-called "new technologies" for various reasons. Let's remember that our students are avid users of this technology, let's also remember that this generation of instructors is probably the last one to refrain from using that"not-so-new-technology".....

I want to learn...and remember what I learned!

To all of you interested in teaching/learning, I urge you to read THIS ARTICLE from Macleans. Teaching behavior will influence learning habits and retention. After all, that's our goal, teach something the students will apply! Isn't it?

Image source: Flickr CC

And...what about YOU?

Frequently I posts teaching tips and my feelings about teaching. I am interested in sharing experiences! Anyone with good stories are VERY WELCOME to write about them. Just tell me about them and I will create a link to you blog! I just want to create an exchange blog...but not just about me! So...what about YOU????

Photo credit: this image was modified and can be found at this site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/assbach/136040511/

Distance Learning...wonderful!

I started to teach a course with some students in the classroom and some in another city. It works perfectly well for several reasons:

• I am aware that the distant students are AS IMPORTANT as the students are in the class room
• I am aware that distant students need 2 to 3 seconds before they can hear me and I have to patient for their feedback
• I refer to them just as much as I refer to the students in the classroom (see first comment)
• Technical staff is ESSENTIAL for successful distance learning
• I am using tools that make sure students see where I am going...no laser pointers here!

Picture credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/philipyk/

Teaching tip #2: Power point and laser pointers, a No-No?

Do you have a laser pointer? I do! Do you use it with your power-point slides? I used to! Not anymore! There is a very simple reason why I used to ...and do not anymore. The laser pointer is actually a good thing for the teacher...because we have in our mind a picture of what the students ARE SUPPOSED TO SEE...so we circle and underline with the laser pointer. This is not useful because the students ARE OFTEN WRITING AS WE TALK....the never see the laser pointer because it does NOT stay on the slide. Thankfully, there is a remedy to this. Power-Point has a feature that permits HIGHLIGHTING, DOODLING, CIRCLING things on your slide...and it stays there!

Here's how to use it: when you are on your slide, just right click and a box will appear! Select from the options and VOILÀ...just look at the picture that accompanies this blog and you will quickly understand how to use this simple tool. Use it on your next lecture and you probably will, just like me, get addicted to it!

Enjoy!!!!

The best science Podcasts

Podcasts are a very efficient, and fun, way to learn about the last developments in the world of science. I strongly promote this medium to my students and, one in a while, I quiz them on specific segments. Furthermore, these science podcasts are all produced by highly reputable journals and news organizations. Pure and FREE listening pleasure...Enjoy!

• Nature magazine podcast
• Science magazine podcast
• Scientific American podcast
• NPR Science Friday podcast
• The naked scientist podcast
• New Scientist podcast

There are more and more podcasts....so many things to learn and so little time!