how to make a 3 hr lecture interesting
pharmocology lecture is 3 hrs long, dry subject how can teacher make that more engaging? doesn't the topic of the lecture kind of limit the teacher 's ability to engage the students
Dan,
I think you are onto a good strategy to follow because you are right about how the students start to fade after a while. They will be able to internalize the content much better with this approach.
Gary
I've had the same problem. After 2 years of doing it the same way I came to the conclusion that its just too long. I saw that not only could students not retain anything after hour 4, but the stuff from the four hours earlier was fuzzy in their mind. This is more notable with new college students than with those who have some professional experience.
This year I'm experimenting with shorter lectures. Yes, that means a little less content, but in the end I think they'll actually learn more. I then use the extra time to go over the homework assignments and let them start on them in class with me there to help them.
Only 3 weeks in so far but they seem to be doing better.
Hi Amjad,
They sure do. I teach from 4 until 10:00 pm so I know exactly what you are talking about. This is why we need to keep the class moving, offer variety in delivery and involve the students throughout the evening.
Gary
I teach 4.5 hour classes from 6p to 10:30p, so your suggestions are going to be helpful. By 9p the students are tired and have "run out of gas"!!!
Hi Justin,
Good strategies. I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I can relate to the need for variety in delivery. If I don't they will zone out about 4:30 and I will have to wake them up at 10:00 so I can send them home.
Gary
I teach 4 hour Econ classes so I understand your situation. I break up each hour into a different activity. I lecture for one hour, then I may have them do cases in groups for one hour. I amy show a video for one hour that is relevant and then build an applicable activity to reinforce the video for the last hour. I have found that breaking the class up keeps the students busy and engaged.
Hi Rachel,
Good plan for keeping your students engaged for a long period of time. I teach a 6 hour block and so I have to use many of the same strategies that you have posted if I am going to be successful with my students. Change of pace, variety and enthusiasm are all constants in my classes.
Gary
I have four-hour courses in English (remedial and composition). In addition to breaking up lectures with things like quizzes, readings, discussions, and writing exercises, something that I've found indispensable is regular break times. We have a campus policy to break every hour for ten minutes. This gives students a moment to regroup, and it allows them to view each hour as one miniature class. This stimulates questions and discussion.
Hi Jennifer,
Good plan. You don't have to stop the lecture at the 15 minute mark but you can pause for questions, do a discussion or some other activity to create a change of pace for the students. Anything that will let their brains relax a bit and let them refocus their attention. This mini-breaks are really effective in helping them to stay engaged. You are on the right path with your splitting idea. I wish you much success in your teaching efforts.
Gary
I find the history of pharmacy difficult to break up in 15min sessions and create an activity, I always engage the class but I plan to try spliting the lecture with lab.
Hi Marie,
I use games in my classes as well and my students love them. They like to compete for candy and the honor of winning. Really increases the excitement level in the class.
Gary
Try using games like jeopardy and give candy as prizes. The competition should make it more interesting and fun.
Hi Michael,
This is a good way to keep the students engaged. I teach a 6 hour course and I lecture for 15-20 minutes, then we have an activity which may be a problem solving situation, case study, small group discussion, Q&A, etc.. Then I lecture another 15-20 minutes and then another activity. This way I don't burn my students out and yet I cover all the content I need to for that day.
Gary
I have to make a medical assisting course, that is four hours long, interesting. I introduce PowerPoint presentations which take up the first two hours of the course. For the last two hours, I give my students real life medical experiences when I used to work at the local state mental hospital; they enjoy those stories.
Hi Edward,
I wish you much success in your teaching. Let me know how you make out with your first class.
Thank you for the kind words and letting me know you have been helped with the content and input you have received.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers,
Thank you for your input and suggestions. I will begin teaching in May. It is a beginning course in an Associate Respiratory Program. It will be 5 days a week, and 5 hrs. per day. All your tips are great. I will implement these and others in my teaching. It will be hard since I have never taught students.
Hi Mike,
Since I teach in 6 hour blocks I do both. I do a mini-review after completing a content section and we do an activity and then as I close the night out I do a highpoint review of the key concepts as takeaways for the students.
Gary
What would you suggest for the timing of reviews?
Should I review the information from the most recent lecture or from an earlier lecture in the day?
Hi Anne,
I teach a 6 hour course from 4 until 10 pm. so I understand where you are coming from. You are doing the right things with your class. In addition, you might want to do some small group discussion or games. I use these to help the students review and reinforce content retention.
Gary
