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October 14, 2005
Help!!! Getting Students to Read the Book
I'm teaching the database module in my MIS class this week, and I've stumbled upon a great example, just the right size to implement in a simple Access database. I know that we can model and design it in class, if the students will only READ THE BOOK. If I have to define and explain basic and simple concepts like primary and foreign keys, if I have to take 30 minutes to explain those basics, we'll never be able to get it done -- or the example will consume too much of the course.
How do you get your students to read the book? I know there's no silver bullet, but I'm wondering what innovative and novel techniques exist. Begging is so unseemly. I tried starting the class with quick exam on the reading (with a sophisticated question like, "what is the subject of last night's reading?") and then forcing the students who couldn't answer the question to leave the room. That technique had too many side consequences. My Latin teacher, back in the old-school days, would humiliate those of us who hadn't done the translation. But, humiliation has gone out of style in teaching circles today.
So, what do you do? Am I the only one teaching this class who has this problem? If not, what do you do about it? What solutions exist? What have you tried that didn't work? What have you tried that did work? Help!!!
Posted by DavidK at October 14, 2005 08:04 AM | Permalink