I need some teaching tips...?

Question

I teach a medical terminology class to adults at a local community college.

I was looking for some fresh ideas for this upcoming semester.

Anyone out there have any suggestions for some activities to do with the students.

I teach a body system lecture and go over the medical terms associated with that body system each class time.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer 1

One review activity I use for vocabulary is to write up the words on large note cards. Then I start putting them on the board in two columns. So for example if you had the nervous system and the skeletal system you put neuron under the appropriate category and femur under the other. With adults you dont even have to label the categories. You make them figure out which way you are arranging them. Then gradually you have the students put the rest of the vocab words up. That's the easy way to start off with. Then you add difficulty. NOw I dont know enough about medical terminology so I'll go with something easy like animals. Again 2 categories. Say my first two words on the board are snake and beetle. "Aha," thinks the class, "the categories are reptiles and insects." Well then you put up the next two cards, say a dog and a squid, then keep going until they arrive at the correct categories: vertebrate and invertebrate. It's really good for reviewing vocab and teaching the relationships between various items. Anyway I hope I explained it clearly and I hope it helps.

Good luck.

Answer 2

1. Start with rote memorization. It's uncomfortable, but it works.

2. Then describe a body part/affliction associated with a term, and have the students provide the most correct answer (verbally). This could also be a group activity.

3. THEN have a series of essays describing an affliction and have the students WRITE about the most appropriate course of action as associated with your list of medical terms.

There should be a progression:

The students should demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of your terms

The students should be given the opportunity to apply their knowledge.

The students should be allowed to evaluate the most effective application of the concepts behind the terms.

I hope this helps!

Good luck!

Answer 3

What about using a medical show like House, E.R. or Grey's Anatomy as a reference? Not showing the whole show, just parts of the diagnosis where possible words/terms like ones you would be using in class.

The good thing about doing it this way, is that they are availible on video so you don't need to be taping the shows.