Have used a combination of lecture, hands-on small teams, games and student instructors for skills. Variety keeps students from getting bored and off-focus.
Hi Paula:
Good - I call these "change-ups", just something that breaks the flow of cerebral apathy, but then I get back on track and continue on with the lesson, but maybe this time using a different learning resource.
Regards, Barry
Hi Anna:
Great example for readers of this module. I understand not all will have ample access all the time, but this is a wonderful and very contemporary method to teach and keep students interest.
Regards, Barry
I’m a technical instructor so I have plenty of material at YouTube. I can always show a video of how something is made or how something works, etc.
And I have relatively nice collection of all kinds of instructional or just informational videos I can show to my students…even some short documentaries.
Hi Albert:
I believe any activity that results in a net imrovement in learning is worthwhile. Yes, some are are more valuable (or necessary) than others, but nobody ever said learning could be fun or use games to get a point across.
Regards, Barry
I have used games or small group discussions to develop backup plans
When students become dis-engaged in the course material, I will incorporate a computer/internet activity to help them re-focus. We may spend about 15 minutes on this activity.
My plan consist of having several ways to teach the same information. Lecture, powerpoint, hand outs/graphs/fun worksheets about the content. As learn the students learning styles I can implement any of the above teaching methods on the spot since they are already prepared. If I start out with one and it seems to not be holding the focus of the group, then I am prepared to move to the next plan. I also try to change the delivery method several times during a course in order to give every learning style the benefit of understanding the material.
i try and have story's about what has happened to me in the work force, on the topic that I'm teaching
I often will try to have "supplemental" information for my students. As a company, we are guided to use power points. But day after day of power points is not only difficult for students to maintain attention, but can be a roadblock for the instructor as they can even bore themselves. Adding activities that are in conjunction with the material helps to liven up not only the class, but the instructor as well!
Having worked in the industry for many years I can draw on actual work life examples in those cases where the material is not holding their attention.
I change over from lecture to hands-on learning, games, or discussion to recharge their batteries and to help them find focus.
Hi Barry,
I am just finishing up my first term as a new instructor. I took over class assignments after the mid-term. Looking towards the next term this sounds like a good idea for me, especially if attendance is a problem any given class. Since there is usually with any class setting a lot of course material, how much should be dedicated on mastering previously presented material vs moving at a steady pace and at the minimum make sure adequate time is allotted for the new material is presented?
A lot of times incorporating cooperative learning activities is great in class as a backup plan. Have the students answer a series of questions with a partner on a small white board at their desk. Orally read the questions, or present them via ppt, and ask students to write answer down. Call for time and have them hold up answers, awarding points to teams who answer correctly.
I will make mini games of course content to engage the students. Via repetition and incorporating friendly competition it adds an element of fun to the coursework.
I would love to try some of the recommendations from other participants, but I teach in an accelerated course and I literally have just enough time to say the words, much less introduce games and group activities.
Hi Shantana:
Indeed, in fact pedagogy studies reveal that a multi-layered approach is considered the best way to introduce new material to students, especially adult learners.
Regards, Barry
I find that often students end up needing more time in class to complete their work than I anticipated. Sometime that means we run out of time for certain parts of the lecture. I make my powerpoints available online so that students can read them for homework and we can go through them briefly the next day. That way they are able to listen to what I am saying the supplement the powerpoint instead of just trying to copy everything down before I flip to the next slide.
I use multiple instructional tools in my didactic course. I have jeopardy games, case studies, small group projects and students making up test questions from the study guides. I re-inforce the didactic theory learned in a skills lab.
I use case studies, articles, group work. I need to incorporate some games.
