To prepare to effective lectures in Mental Health Nursing, research is completed to assure I have the most up-to-date material.
I often prepare a powerpoint presentation showing the application of what we are learning in the work environment. I also show examples of art work that demonstrates the techniques we are covering.
I have found that getting the students involved in the lectures works well. After lecturing for about 10-12minutes, I ask a question and open it up for discussion. After that questions, I continue with the lecture.
I think this is a great way to get students involved in the lecture. By also having their examples that relate to the content in their notes, student are more likely to retain that information.
I really enjoy lectures and find my students get the most out of lectures if I am asking them questions throughout the lecture. I try to incorproate a couple of different task so that I hit on every type of learner. I will typically provide a power point presentation with a list of task and key terms to focus on. I will upload other sources for classes to review during the presentation so they can read along. I will also work with students during the lecture and help them find relevant sites for thier assignments. I also like to ask lots of questions, just to make sure they are paying attention and absorbing the information. If all else fails try a little humor laughter is good for the heart and soul plus it keeps people on their toes.
Thanks,
Nick
Hi Maggie,
Good way to get the students involved. Another thing you are doing is changing the pace of the class so the students can stay engaged in the learning process while enjoying the variety.
Gary
Giving examples of your field experience. Makes it more interesting and real for the students. Using visual aid helps too. Diagrams, graphs, pictures, drawing.
When giving my lectures I use powerpoint slides. Every few slides I try to engage the students in a discussion of the material. Or we get into small groups to apply the concept. This way I try to avoid doing all of the taking and keep the students involved.
Hi Gregory,
Humor is a powerful teaching tool that really helps to keep the students engaged. Everyone like to laugh now and then. Laughter is good for the mind and helps to refresh the thinking process of students.
Gary
Making sure the material for the day is relevant. Showing students how the material affects their everyday lives.
Theresia, Thanks for bring this topic up - I interject a lot of questions in my lectures, in fact, I probably teach more Socratically; especially if I have willing students.
Open questions are often a flop, so I feel that direct questioning keeps students on their toes and engaged.
I like many others before me, use humor, usually at my own expense. You have to be willing to be quite self-deprecating; the humor should not detract from the content, but perhaps just break the cognitive dissonance that sometimes resonates in lectures - a bit of comic relief if you will.
Hi Teresia,
This is how to keep the students engaged and focused. By changing the flow of the class and introducing different activities the students get see the relevancy and application of the content.
Gary
I alternate lectures with brief questions or cases that students have to discuss. I like a lot of class participation and personally feel awkward when I am the only one talking, so I include activities that require discussions from both sides. I usually have longer questions prepared before class so I can pop the slide when the time is right. I always try to include a project that deals with real life data or events so students can incorporate class concepts to daily life. Additionally, I make efforts to use technology. Regardless of the level, lab sessions that reinforces class concepts is always enjoyed by students.
Not as many ways to adjust for online lectures without seeing the students body language.
I try and offer real world experiences with the topic to make the lecture more effective and ask the class if anyone has any experience with the topic that they would like to share. Interestly, there is always someone besides myself who is willing to share a story. I then summarize the story and explain how it relates to the topic; works well too!!
I find that keeping up on current events and pop culture, then finding ways to relate it to the subject matter can be really helpful in keeping students focused and engaged in class discussions.
Lesson planning is imperative!! Madeline Hunter lesson planning is very useful and helps the instructor ensure all components of a successful lesson are present. However, the most important component I feel is the anticipatory set, the hook, which engages the students at the beginning of the lesson.
Amy Branch
Hi Marion,
Good point about instructor movement. I wonder how those students that were playing the games will do on the next test as a result of your being in their "area" during class.
Gary
Hi Marion,
Your approach is a good way to help your students see relevancy and application. Your discussion of the various alternatives that are proposed really expands the options that students learn about in class and can use later in their careers. These types of discussions also give you an idea of how well the class is going from the instructional side of things.
Gary
