My third #scichat… Tonight’s subject was “open brainstorm.” It was kind of a slow night, but the subject of revlearn was introduced. Revlearn is where the traditional lecture is sent home with the student (a video, podcast, etc.) to watch the night before. The next day, the teacher can reinforce the concepts via activities or assignments in class. It is “home” lecture and class “work”. Articles about this concept can be found at the following websites provided in tonight’s #scichat:
The concept of watching videos at home and doing the work in class seems to be a great idea to help motivate students. The only issue I would see is that sometimes it is good to struggle a bit in order to solve a problem or to get the right answer. (Something that is often done when trying to do work on assingments at home without teacher assistance.) The process teaches students how to troubleshoot and how to work through the problem on their own to get a solution. I imagine that in a classroom setting, where the class works on problems via collaboration, some students may just sit back and wait for the punch line rather than trying to figure things out on his or her own.
However, I do like the concept and feel that it could be a very effective way to teach.
Hi Bernadette, What happens to the student who does not have a computer at home? How does the teacher compensate for that? Will the student fall behind because the student was unable to view the video? Is the lecture front loading the student for the day's activity? I am not a strong advocate for homework. I would be worried as a teacher to assign this type of homework.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with nancy's comment, what would you do if student's do not have access to a computer outside of school? Also, there would need to be some sort of consequence for students who have a computer and chose to not watch the lecture. I would think the lecture would need to be short, in order to keep students attention and make sure it was manageable to complete it at home. I also am not sure that having to do more work at home would motivate students. As a teacher, you would also need to get parents on board with the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou both have good points. However, I imagine that most students have access to a local library where they could view the videos or they have VCRs, DVD players, etc.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to not doing the assignment, it would be the same situation if the teacher assigned a chapter in a book, and the student choses not to read it.
As an example of how technology is currelty being used at home, my daughter who is taking 10th-grade Spanish, has nightly homework assignments that consist of doing exercises from a CD on her laptop. I am not sure what the students who do not have a computer do. Perhaps they are allowed to complete their tasks during study halls or after school.