In the previous post I wrote about providing an environment that students can exhibit what they can do. It is like gymnastics. If you give them some basic tumbling routines to do, they will do just that. However, if you give them an environment that they can do a triple somersault, they will attempt to it. Some will attempt a double but others might do a quad.
Celebrate the end of the project.
This is the day when the class gets a chance to see what everybody has done. You go through the presentations, you have to praise each team of what they have accomplished and expressed your thanks to the class for taking their time to do the outstanding project. It will be good. You might get one or two substandard ones but if you follow the previous points, you can expect very good projects. In closing the course, you have to present a short 5-10 minutes of what the student have to go through to complete the class. Be blunt about it. If it was like fighting fire every week, acknowledge the fact that it is but at least the students know that you understand it was. Share the outstanding work done. Have some slides that the students can laugh about it whether it is about yourself or the students. In the end, you tell them if they can achieve this amount of work in a short time, they can take on other projects especially now that they discover their potential
Provide a mechanism for self-discovery
Before the students turn in their final project, ask the students to provide a reflection of the course. The students when asked to write their thoughts, reflect on the semester and realize that the skills that they acquired, how much they push themselves and the ability to complete the project beyond their imagination make them realize that the course was indeed an experience regardless of the grade they are about to receive at the end. Remember most students would have none of the skills that were going to be taught to them. Sometimes when you don’t ask them to reflect, all this is taken for granted but when they reflect, they will positively feel that this is a class that has a lot of work but it is worth it in order to learn the materials. BINGO, the plan that you set out for the class has been successfully implemented and the best part the students appreciate it. You want to leave a legacy about the class that when other students take this class, there is a bond between those that have taken it. They will give this look to the new students of “you are taking the class, tough eh? but hang on you will be fine at the end”.
So here is the journey and tips to a successful course in information technology. At the end of the semester, you should feel like you impart your knowledge to the students. A part of me is sad that the students that I have enjoyed teaching the last 4 months have completed their coursework. I get a chance to see them go through the toughest times learning the subject matter. At times, I feel frustrated (because I cared) that my point did not go across in class but in the end, everything worked out when they do a wonderful job with the project. I am always pleasantly surprised and delighted with the learning outcome of the students.
