One course that comes to mind almost immediately is one I took last term. This course was particularly engaging for me because the teacher used a wide variety of methods in an attempt to cater to all learning styles. We had a couple lectures where we took notes, we had some power point presentations and we had in class discussions. We were given hands on projects to accompany our papers we were writing, which for me helps me visualize what im writing about.
Aside from the diverse teaching styles the teacher also engaged the class in discussions with each other. We sat in a circle, creating a sense of community and support. She took great care in making the classroom feel as though we were safe to express our ideas without consequence or ridicule.
I really enjoyed this class, typically it is hard for me to stay engaged in a class. My ADD tends to take control when I feel bored or under challenged. I appreciated that when she was catering to those who learned by just listening to lecture she was flexible with me. She allowed me to bring to class a small task that is mundane enough to not be a distraction but was enough to keep my mind focused so that i would hear the lecture and not day dream away.
Isn't it grand that there are so many styles of teaching available to students now? I'm not sure if I could handle straight lecture either, I tend to wander about in my mind. Most of my classes have had a variety of teaching styles, at least at the community college level. One class I took last quarter was also very flexible with several speakers, video, class discussion, projects, etc. What I like about this class is there is such a variety of things to learn and "places to go" on the internet. This keeps things hopping for most of us I'm sure!
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