activities
I like to plan activities to break up the day to keep everyone active.
what i like to do is whe we dont have clients coming in is to do a demo on what the students are having the most problems with so that we can cover it and cover it until they feel comfortable doing it.
i always try to incoperate a HEY WAKE UP part in my lectures to get my students to refocus on me and the material.
same here, i get better results spending less time lecturing and more time guiding a discocery type session.maybe I'll steer the group for a few mins. or so.I'll give them different jobs as a team to complete a task or call upon them to in questioning to take me into a demonstration and guide me.
That is such a great idea and I bet it really invigorates your students after a long day. How refreshing to not have to listen to endless lecture, wondering when break will roll around. I bet your students are surprised when the class is over so quickly. I think I'd have a hard time getting to sleep afterward, thinking of all we did and wanting to discuss it with someone!
Heather,
Good approach! I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I can relate to the challenges of keeping students engaged throughout the evening. Teaching at this time requires a lot of planning and changing of activities to keep students focused on what they need to be learning that class session. I find that they feed off my enthusiasm so I bring a lot of excitement to the class. By the time 10 pm rolls around I am worn out but we have had a great class and the students leave looking forward to coming back the next time.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Since my theory/lab class is over five hours in length (we only meet once/week)and is offered in the evening, I incorporate 'activity sessions' to keep everyone alert, engaged and active. I deliver short lecture segments and then students will rotate to different stations: case studies/problem solving in small groups; role-playing; hands-on activities. I use the activity sessions to apply the new knowledge that the students have learned. I have received good feedback from the students regarding this type of instructional format.
