Long lectures
I have found that when I teach business, after just about 20 minutes, certain students can easily lose focus. Therefore, every 20 minutes or so I start a short 5 minute question and answer session that I have found to work pretty well...
after 20 minutes of lecture I will exercise a question and answer session. I will allow students to get out of their sets and discuss recent classroom topics for 5 minutes before I get back into lecture.
I always try to ask questions during the lecture as too hold attention.
Hi Justin,
This is a very good point. The mind of a student can only be focused for the length time the body is comfortable. By giving breaks and having activities the students can get the diversion they need so they can concentrate better.
Gary
Also, I think it is wise to just give the students breaks every hour, especially if they are looking at a computer screen for the bulk of class, which can be rough on the eyes, not to mention attention span issues with long demos / lectures.
Hi Darrell,
Good way to give your students a "think break" yet keep them engaged in the content of the course. This method helps them to see relevancy to what they are learning.
Gary
I like to break up my lecture about every 1/2 hour by asking the class to bring up a subject relevent to the "our" industry, "event happenings" that are coming up or that they are planning to attend or any "racing news" or "industry news "they may have heard or read. This keeps the talk about the general subject without going off on a tangent away from the general reason why they are here.
Hi Jeanne,
You have a very good plan for how you are going to conduct your classes. The mini-lectures and the alternative activities will really help to keep the attention of your students. Two words need to be used in your planning, application and relevancy. You mentioned how you are going to try and connect what you are doing to the lives of your students and help them to make applications with the course content. This is a dead on in terms of keeping the interest of students. You are going to do fine with this plan.
Gary
I try to break up longer lecture sessions with quick review breaks to emphasize the important concepts we previously covered. This not only gives the class time to interact and a break from lecture, but also reinforces key concepts.
I have to cover a lot of material in just 20 classes. This is my 1st time teaching, so what I plan to do is:
Mondays: Quiz, 20 min lecture w/ Power Point outline, break, 20 min lecture, break into small groups for case studies, 20 min lecture, ask students what were the main points, answer relevant questions.
Wednesdays: Demonstration and hands on lab.
If I try to apply as much as possible toward students' lives, their goals, current events, and how this will benefit them in their career, I think I can hold their interest. I plan to use humor whenever I have the opportunity to work it in as well. Are there any obvious flaws in this plan? I would appreciate input. -Jeanne
As with Shari, I, too teach long (5 hour) classes and mostly music theory. In order to keep my students focus, I use several different techniques as bringing them to the board to solve a question, listen to different music (especially music they enjoy) and ask questions about specific elements in the music. This not only gets them to formulate critical listening skills but helps bring energy back into the classroom.
It is a good idea to think, in advance, of questions that you can ask students during the lecture. Even a few questions from time to time will help to keep their interest.
That is a great strategy. I usually do something similar; brainstorming in groups.
Adult learners cannot spend more than 20 minutes of lecture. They start to become restless and uncomfortable. Getting them involved, either through a short question-and-answer break or any short related activities will keep them motivated.
This technique also works well for me. I also find that directing a question at a specific student keeps them "on their toes" because they don't know when I might call on them.
When I sit in on lectures that are nothing but reading from the textbook I become extremely board! I know the students do not like this either, so I will attempt to never do this. I know that questions and discussion can break up the monotony and enhance learning.
Hi Shari,
Good strategy. Variety and change of pace is what it takes to keep the students engaged throughout the course time.
Gary
