Reflections of MDH Summer Week 2008

It has been exciting this week to be able to be take advantage of the expertise of the

speakers. The information provided will serve to assist me in my preparation for

my internship. Just as I have studied in my classes, acknowledging that there is a different approach to teaching adults will help me prepare my lessons. While adult students will need informational direction in order to begin a class, they may not need continued guidance in order to complete their assignments. Keeping this mind though, I will strive to encourage them all along the way. Our summer week presentations also have directed me to include peer teaching, sharing experiences, and creative challenges in my internship experience.

I found the stages of cognitive development interesting and expect to incorporate these thoughts when I interact with my students. This theory of development will be useful to me as I deal personally with the students in the classroom as well as in the clinic. It will serve to make me aware of the differences in student as they approach and comprehend their assignments. This way I can (attempt to) tailor my response to requests for assistance or alter a teaching delivery to reach students who may not respond to my particular teaching methods.

When I reflect back on the ideas presented this week, I do realized how I have been using these techniques with my private practice patients for some time. I see a wide variety of people and adapt my oral health treatments and education to the particular style of the person. I have seen many of my patients for years and have witnessed their circular route through their life stages unaware that this relates to the cognitive theory.

I will leave this week with my brain filled with new thoughts and perspectives that will continue to rattle around for some time. Thanks everyone.