I find that a "one on one" appraisal of where they may have gotten lost can help to give them more direction and confidence.
Hi Laura:
Sounds like you've a good handle on keeing students engaged, intewrested and involved in their class lessons. Good Job!
Regards, Barry
If I feel I am losing some students I will immediately re-direct the class to another activity. The key is having that "other activity" planned out ahead of time to use as a back-up. I also like to directly involve those students who were off-task to take the lead in the activity. If it is a certain group of students, then I divide them up and use them as the leads in the class activity.
Hi Damon:
I think when students are interested and engaged they're more likely to stay focused. Keeping them busy and letting them participate in the class (like teaching some of it) will keep them focused.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dr. A:
Right. I call these change-ups, which break up the sequence of delivery methods into smaller bits. Just when students begin to tune out, I change the delevery. Not perfect but it does help refocus.
Regards, Barry
I find that if I start losing student attention during a lecture, it helps to change my delivery methods. Most of the time this works to re engage the students.
Working in a production kitchen in culinary arts, I like to switch it up and throw them a curve ball like a new task or changing their group. Also, I like to get feedback as to why they are not on-task. It could be a relevance or value issue. Sometimes, students are simply distracted by life situations and need to feel like it's safe and important for them to leave it behind for the moment and concentrate on the lessons and tasks for the contact hours.
I agree. As an instructor you not only need to provide information but you also need to present it in a entertaining way. It's very hard for anyone to focus on a lecture that is just presenting information. But a lecture that the instructor is enthusiastic about, is obviously engaged in, and can add humor to can go a long way in keeping their minds on the topic being discissed.
Hi Rebecca:
Great. Anythiong that keeps students on track is probably worthwhile. Of course, if we can keep things interesting to start with, that'll make things go smoother in the first place.
Regards, Barry
I redirect with a question relevent to the topic. I try to make the question a bit personal so the interest is there to re-engage and answer.
Rebecca
One of the main ways that I try to reengage students is to discuss the situation with them and try to determine the root cause for the loss of focus or interest.
Hi Mark:
Good ideas! I call these "change-ups", like in sports, when students are expecting one thing and suddenly a change up is thrown in to re-engage or reset the class focus. Lots of ways to do it. The key is to recognize it and be proactive in confronting it.
Regards, Barry
Utilize that "Plan B"! It is most important to recognize when exactly the learning has stopped and immediately switch directions (maybe even take a break) to redirect focus.
Hi Renee:
It seems the important point you want to stress is why the subject is important and how they will be able to use their skills in subsequent classess and their new profession. I would emphasize the benefits in the world of work. Guest speaker, field trip, student testimonial, graduate advice (strong influence).
I believe if student can see a benefit to them in some way, they'll be more motivated to participate. So, make it fun and creative - that's the emphasis (vs. something that have to learn).
Regards, Barry
This has been a huge challenge for me of late. I teach a class that students must take in order to graduate, but take less than seriously (these are culinary students who must take my introduction to baking and pastry course). I start on day one discussing with them why the subject is important to know, how they will be able to use their new skills in following classes and in their field, and what concerns they may have about the course content. I'll throw the questions out to the students, let them answer, then tailor my approach to best fit their dynamic, while staying within the confines of a very rigid curriculum written for me. My current group has been particularly challenging when it comes to staying on-task. Any advise?
Hi Jennifer:
Boy, I wholeheartedly agree! Group anything - discussion, project, study, planning, exercise, - whatever, this is going to contribute to more critical thinking, and potentially better retention of needed information.
As teachers, we just need to keep them on task so it's not just socializing. But some of that is even ok, and thats the beauty of group work.
Regards, Barry
Adding group activies to the lesson plan to help students get involved is an effective way to reengage students.
Hi Jon:
Students have to have a spark of inspiration to realize the benefit of being in class. There are many ways to do this, but I think being enthusiastic, providing interesting presentaions, and using creative media delivery methods can help.
Regards, Barry
by showing the student that if they stay on task the benifits are many and not just for today but for there carrer
Hi Lauraine:
Change up's are a good way to get students back on track too. A change-up can really be any activity that instantantly shift the focus to something differnt, whether it it be tone of voice, standing in a differt spot, pointing to soething open or close the books, really anything. It stirs the mind that something different is (or about to) happen.
Regards, Barry
