In most lectures, I consider them "discussions". Sitting there listening to me talk for an hour will not hold my students attention. I try to get them to intereact and discuss the days topic and utilize case studies if the discussion falls flat. Hands on and group activies are helpful as well.
Two areas that I use are to present and discuss current case studies and the second is to have the students go out on the internet during class to find current articles or events related to the class topic.
I do alot of hands on labs. When we are done, I quiz them to see if they understand what they learned in class.
I sometimes forget this too...I get ahead of myself and get too far ahead. Asking them to ask me to stop if they are lost is a good idea. Thank you Robert.
Juan, your style sounds like my style. I use light-hearted self-depracation and the students love it. I have found that using it creates a comfortable learning environment for some students that may be intimidated by me and the subject matter of wine.
How funny! I will get a kick out of using this technique in my night classes. Students generally work days and study at night and are exhausted. I believe the class would appreciate the comedic effect.
Hi Val,
Students like variety so the more change of pace and delivery you can offer them the greater the opportunity there is to keep them engaged.
Gary
We are learning that an instruction plan that has varied forms of input for the student has a better chance of both keeping their attention for the length of the course and staying power for the material presented. My strategy would not to be predictable each class meeting.
Some strategies I have used to keep my students engaged in learning was to share my experiences in the work feild, allow them to share some of their work experiences. mini lectures, short films and videos.
Hi Tanya,
You are teaching a critical academic subject and the more you can do to help the students become engaged the greater good you are doing for them. Your different strategies help them to see relevancy and application to what they are studying.
Gary
The subject matter that I teach is mathematics so I have to work hard to maintain their focus. I do my best to speak in terms that are understandable to the students. When I use the mathematical terminology I always remind them the definition. I stop often to gage their understanding. I often stop and ask if what I just explained makes sense. Once they get to know me and understand that I am happy to stop and answer questions it seems to ease the stress level. It keeps them on their toes knowing that they will have to respond when I ask if they are understanding.
Hi Susan,
Congratulations on helping your students to see the relevancy and application of what they are learning through videos and your personal experiences. This makes it real for them and as you mention really increases their interest in the learning process.
Gary
I'm not in dental assisting, but I've also found that real stories from my personal experience works better to keep students' attentions than lectures.
I teach Dental Assisting and they love to watch the you tube videos of different procedures. They are so much better than the videos that we use(that is usually some boring person talking). They are actual procedures- blood and all. Its gets them so excited when its a procedure they want to get into. We also go to the lab once a week as well. The more hands on, the more they are excited about actually getting into a real office. Of course, when I can bring in real stories of situations from when I worked in the office is fascinating for them as well.
Hi Sharon,
You can put them into learning or work groups and assign them case studies or projects. In working together they will get more comfortable with each and the group dynamic building their confidence which leads to more class involvement. Vary your instructional delivery and the pace of your class and this will keep the students engaged. Give your students 3x5 cards and have them write down a certain number of questions and hand them in to you. This way you will have a number of questions to respond to in order to keep the class discussion moving forward.
Gary
Some strategies:
1. Practical application of what they learn
2. Examples of my own experience with the topic they are studying
Hi Jan,
Good points! Engaging means getting the students to see the value of the content and then helping them acquire such content through a variety of instructional deliveries. The entitlement mentality does make it hard at times to enlighten students to the fact that it is their future and they have to shape it because no one else can do it for them.
Gary
Somethimes I find it difficult in trying to keep students engaged in learning due to the fact that I am not much older than most of my students. I think that sometimes they feel unsure about me because i have only been in my feild for almost four years and it seems that they disconnect from me at times. What can I do to keep them engaged and to ask me more questions?
One strategy is to vary your presentation techniques, so that a hands-on activity, lecture modules, and online video clips happen in the same class.
Another is to acknowledge when a student looks bored and ask them a question that connects the material to something they showed interest in before. It doesn't hurt to show students that stuff they might consider 'boring' is tied to their goals or something they liked learning about.
Engaging your audience is a task assigned to the instructor. I query when did entertainment b/c a requirement in education. Perhaps that is an ingredient in the last several decades, along with "I want it now", the entitlement mentality, and the if I do not like it, I will go where I my needs are met..... perhaps there must again be a need rather than a right scenario to bring back into perspective: education requires reading your text!
