Friday, 7 June 2013

Lesson Planning


Lesson Planning Components
 

Characteristics of Adult Learners
http://tlr.hccs.edu/facultyportal/pdf/Ten_Characteristics_Adults-Learners.pdf

This article is organised and covers a broad spectrum of the characteristics of adult learners.  After a brief explanation on each trait, Kuhne (2010) provides valuable suggestions to implement into a lesson plan or teaching approach.  Adopting these recommendations will show my respect and understanding of the needs of adult students which will improve my instruction and build a solid relationship with the learners.  One of the ideas I will take forward is to present assignments well in advance, this allows flexibility for the learner with regard to balancing their life responsibilities and learning.

Resource

Kuhne, G., 2010,  ADTED 460 - Introduction to Adult Education, Penn State's World Campus.

 
 
Creating a Positive Learning Environment

This website provides skills for facilitators in a workshop environment and these articles by Boudreau (2012) shares thoughts gathered by participants in skills workshops.  Each article has suggestions relating to the emotional, intellectual and physical aspects of an ideal learning atmosphere and has a real relevance to education in cosmetology.  Recognising different learning styles and incorporating a mix of auditory, visual and kinesthetic strategies will help stimulate learning in the classroom.  By adopting these approaches I will be creating the best possible environment which supports the student and their learning.

Resource
Bourdreau, D., (April 16, 2012), Creating the ideal learning environment, retrieved from trainerhub.com

 

Assessment

Assessment Network houses great information and a collection of related sites on the subject of assessment.  It offers excellent tips on its toolbox page, particularly the feedback loop, of feed-up, feedback and feed forward. Giving accurate and encouraging feedback helps students know where they are in their learning, where they are headed and what is required to move forward.  There is an extensive list of helpful links on this site and I found Authentic Assessment Toolbox  http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/index.htm very interesting.  By integrating ideas from the tasks and rubrics chapters, the assessment of student knowledge and performance based skills becomes more of an extended learning opportunity.

 

Instructional Process/Strategies

Humber website addresses a multitude of teaching strategies, it is well organised and the information is clear and concise.  The Class Room Strategies section is full of instructional ideas and information; one example is using case studies.  In my class, the student is presented with case study of a client with a skin disorder.  Using their knowledge and skills the student is asked to recognise the condition and make the appropriate treatment recommendations.  The Course Development Tools and Classroom Management sections are also loaded with helpful articles and links to improve instruction and students learning.

 

Planning

This site provides a large number of formulated lessons in Cosmetology.  By collaborating components of these plans with the lesson plans used in the program I teach and the addition of my own ideas, my lessons will be more comprehensive.   I am most impressed with the “Open for Business” lesson plan where students are to create a business plan.  The assessment rubrics are also established and attached to the lesson plan.  These lesson plans will be a valuable cross reference tool when viewing and developing the curriculum in the cosmetology course I offer and I will be certain to adhere to Canadian protocols in the instruction and assessment of cosmetology.
 

Resource
Smith, S.,(n.d.), Blount County Board of Education, Alabama Learning Exchange.