I find that when I ask the class if anyone has a life experience to share, they are all hesitant. I want my classroom to be a safe place where the students can speak freely. I try to encourage them, but no matter what I try, it seems like the same three or four people are the ones who share in class. Is anyone else having this problem? Anyone who has had this problem in the past, do you have any suggestions?
Hi Jeremiah,
I agree concerning making your own PPs. I find the textbook PPs don't fit my style of presentation or class flow. By making my own (yes they are a lot of work) I can really focus in on what I want my students to know. Also once they are developed you can review them and make additions as needed so the time commitment is greatly reduced.
Gary
The method I think is most beneficial is for the instructor to make all of the powerpoints/materials him/her self. Often textbook companies will provide lectures as part of the supplemental materials. However, if an instructor uses these, they often do not know whats coming next and that makes the lecture more fragmented and the students will pick up on the lack of continuity.
My lectures can use more external influences like videos, guest speakers and cases.
Making class lectures more effective and appealing to the students takes adding personal insights, observations, currents events and any other relevent segment.
By varying your approach through giving realtime examples showing the application of the subject matter the students are more apt to retain the information and keep their interest up.
Hi Laura,
This can happen with students. What you need to do is to make sure you share essential information in conjunction with the slides that the students need to write down along side the slides. This way you keep them focused on the slides for the content as well as the additional information that is being given to support the slides.
Gary
Sometimes I feel that when I give students copies of the slides from lectures, it makes them more passive. It's as if they feel they don't have to pay as much attention, or engage, because they can just review the powerpoint later on their own time. Do you ever find you have this problem?
I prepare my lectures in Power point. I give students a copy of the PP slides.
My PP slides not only cover lecture topics, but also a large smattering of problems where they apply what they learned during the lecture session.
I switch the type of presentation of information - some lecture, some hands-on, exercise, and maybe a short video if it applies. I constantly want feedback from the students so that I can improve my presentation/lectures.
I generally use powerpoint with my lectures, but I find it very effective when adding other types of multimedia. Such as video demonstrations and pictures. There are also many different kinds of activities that can be done to help spark the attention of the students.
Hi Thadeus,
You received good feedback from your students. The do like variety in presentations and flow of class. By mixing it up you are helping them to learn while they stay engaged.
Gary
I have been given good feedback from my students. They enjoy the different types of lectures along with different ways of presenting material. The most valuable feedback I have reieved is to mix-up my presentation styles. Too much of a good thing can be boring.
Hi Thadeus,
What is the most valuable feedback you have received from your students when you have used this method with your classes?
Gary
I have used this idea in a couple different classes of mine, small or large and it works for both. It is a great break up to a normal lecture.
Hi Sean,
This is a good approach to getting the students involved and sharing their life experiences in the class. They start to see more value to the course content when they get to build a connection between their lives and the knowledge that is being shared.
Gary
Having students share their own personal experiences relating to the course material is effective. It lets the student know that the material covered in class is relevant to them individually.
Hi Sean,
What are some of the strategies you use to get your students involved in your lectures?
Thanks in advance for sharing with us.
Gary
Having your students involved in and participate in your lecture seems to be an effective way.
Hi Christina,
Way to go in presenting a variety of instructional methods as well as introducing the human aspects as well. Humor is an essential component of teaching as it can be used in so many different ways to keep students engaged and comfortable.
Gary
