Offering a variety in the classroom is a way to keep students engaged. Like the course presented, having a great opening to start the day works well (a quote, question, etc.).
I use a variety of different techniques to keep students engaged. Some of these include: mini-lectures, videos/videoclips, small/large group discussion, case studies, games, debates, having the students do mini-presentations/lead class discussion, and if it's nice out, take things outside if you can!
What kinds of techniques do you use?
1) Keep the lectures short. When the eyes start to glaze over, you know you need to finish up and shorten the presentation the next time you present it.
2) Keep the students actively involved. Ask them questions about the material being presented and listen to responses. Keep them practicing techniques and skills. Get them up and moving around periodically.
Hi Holly,
Good point. I like to think along the lines of "verbalize and visualize" course content. You are offering your students a change to hear/see/read about the content and then talk about it while looking for ways to apply it. These methods really help with retention.
Gary
Keeping the students focused (engaged) is one of the most difficult things to do. When you add your experiences in between the lectures, applying it to the text topic of course, it enhances the learning. They have questions and learn again, but in a different way. It's vital to share our experiences with them.
asking thought focused questions to students and providing activities that help with their learning
Strategies for keeping students engaged in learning include putting students to work immediately in small groups. The instructor may circulate through the work area interacting with students. Finally, positive feedback to students will stimulate active learning.
Strategies for keeping students engaged in learning may include putting students to work in small groups. Interacting with the students by circulating through the lab or work areas is important. Positive feedback to students will encourage their learning.
USE DIFFERENT TEACHING METHODS AND NOT THE SAME THING EVERY WEEK
I agree that structured outlines are good. The instructor is able to present the important information and the students have outline material to study. Audio-visual is another good way to present material to a large group. Short games, and presentations by students can also be done.
I find that using humorous stories (esp if it includes a past mistake that I have learned a lesson from) breaks the ice and allows students to view me as approachable.....and human.
One of the best ways that I'm aware of is to find ways that the students can apply what they are learning to their own lives. For example, if they can take what they are learning in an IT class and use that information to improve their own lives in some small way - maybe learning how to edit images or create blogs - they are much more likely to be interested, and to practice and remember what they are learning.
Tanya, I agree that one needs to give the students something to do to keep them engaged. Games are a great way to get things started or even to wake people up!
Strategies would vary depending on the class duration. While teaching in a traditional classroom environment, classes were about 3-4 hours. This is a challenging time frame to keep students engaged. Lectures can be pretty dry in the area of computer networking. One can involve the students in the lecture by asking them questions about the material. When talking about something like network installation, one can devise a small "lab" where they can actually do something physical. One can also incorporate some scenario where teams are formed to solve problems. These are a few ways to keep them engaged in that type of an environment.
Would you please explain tactical strategy in this context as this is a new term for me Jaime.
I agree that presentation are a great way to get the students involved. This also helps the students learn the material because they do not want to look bad when they present material to the class. I break the class into group and they present sections of the chapters. The students who present a particular section typically do better on the quizzes and exams for the section they present.
Hi David,
Well said. How to make learning engaging and enjoyable should be our goal as we plan our courses and instructional delivery. If we are having fun with our instruction and students with their learning it is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Any suggestion on how to keep an algebra class engage? Students are getting an associate degree and they think that College Algebra is not a subject really important.
I understand that the most common format of teaching is by lecture but there is one thing I don't understand. If in fact there are many other ways to teach the student in a more constructive, entertaining, and just down right better way then why do so many teachers do it? Why not design a different format that will encourage the student to want to learn. I feel it may be as simple as a mini-lecture of 20 min. or so then do something interactive. Ask questions, get into a discussion, have them go up to the board or whatever you feel may keep them interested. Learning is fun and I think we sometimes forget that.
Tactical strategy is a good way to keep students engaged during a course on building engines for automotive.
Keeping the class interesting ensures that students will stay engaged. This means mixing up the way class is delivered. The "old fashioned" way of lecturing for hours on end will not work. Students today expect interaction. They want and now are at the point of needing multi-modal options for learning. So using Web based media, games or other interactive activities in class, hands-on demonstrations or practice exercises help fill the students' need. Additionally, if we break the class up into smaller pieces so that do don't do the same things over and over again, it will help keep students involved because they do not know what will be happening next.
