Interactive Demos
In my experience, I have found that students can get bored with even the most entertaining of demos. To resolve this, I will start a demo and them call upon a student or students to continue or copy my demo
creating an opportunity for them to take an active role in their learning seems to help
I find that it a great idea to involve students as much as possible.
Yes, bringing students into the demonstration really helps get them involved. Good idea! I agree this works best in smaller class settings.
Hi Gina,
Good strategy for involving all of the students in the learning process. By slowly integrating the students into the demo process you are allowing the quieter or more shy students to find their comfort level in the course and feel that that they can conduct a demo for their classmates.
Gary
I've also found that students like to participate in demos. I will make an announcement to the students before I do the demo that each of them will also get a chance to demo the same skill or a portion of it for each student. The more confident students will usually volunteer to go first and by the time half the students have had their chance it becomes easier for the quieter students. This works in smaller class settings.
I agree they get bored in demos, no matter how entertaining. I ask lots of questions as I demo, and call on students individually to answer. They are usually review questions about what I'm demo-ing, or something pertaining to their reading assignment, or the science of what I'm doing. They stay more engaged if they think they are going to be called upon, and they love to get the answers right and show everyone else what they know - it reinforces that they have been learning, even if they didn't realize it.
Hi Jennifer,
Good idea. This I am sure helps to keep the students on their toes plus it helps to keep them engaged in the learning process.
Gary
