Also, connecting classroom experiences with will increase the level of student interest on a topic and motivate students in the classroom setting.
The use of hands on activities, role playing, use of guest speakers, student led projects, and computer based learning are a few instructional activities that will increase student engagement.
Making the content fun. In my field many of the core classes are hard core, like Physics, and most of the students get bored when the equipment is being disccused. As a result at this point we could pull in real life stories that would interest them, make a joke or two using the class material, and possible getting the students in groups to do an activity or assignment.
I think the best way to keep students engaged is by using different ways of presenting the material. Everyone learns differently so doing short lectures and getting students involved in discussing the content will help them stay engaged. Use hands on and then discuss the out come help them to understand the content and I think be motivated for the next lecture. Get students involved in their learning and giving them reasons for the knowledge helps them stay engaged.
Asking students about their experiences if related to the material.
Mary,
I teach a 6 hour class from 4 until 10 pm so I know exactly what you are talking about. It takes a lot of effort and planning to keep them engaged but it is worth it when you see them progressing toward their career goals. Plus, coming up with new ideas and strategies helps me to stay fresh and excited about teaching each evening.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I know that glazed look as I teach a 4 hour night class.So we do a great deal of team projects and competitive demonstrations on the board.
G,
This is a engaging way to bring application and relevancy into the learning process. The students get to learn and utilize which increases knowledge retention.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I utilize two primary methods in my classroom; short instructor led group discussion simulated applications. For example in reviewing the Medical Revenue Cycle in a class, I would first hand out copies of sample as well as blank Encounter forms, ledger cards, and AP reports as well as EOB's and RA's. Using this information we will review the samples and complete the blank ones as a group activity.
Later that class, in small groups students will work together to complete a final project encompassing all of the goals/objectives discussed for that day.
Your welcome, however they do have to get used to that idea. I also watch to see who has not approached the board and remind them that everyone needs to participate.
Excellent idea Deborah. I tend to get carried away with lecture and notice the glazed over look on the student's faces. uGH. Getting them out of their seats and writing is both tactile and visual. Thanks for the idea
I believe that you have to make it exciting to them. No one wants to sit and listen to a lecture for an hour so I may give them an exercise to do. One of the things that I do is play a game when I review. I will write certain topics on the board and they take turns writing on the board what they remember. By seeing what someone else has written it triggers a response and they remember something and run to the board and write it.
Because students view my subject as outside their career focus, I often resort to games and rewards to engage students. Unfortunately, career cash was recently eliminated so I'm currently restructuring my delivery of content to break up the lecture with other activities like exploring topics on-line or going beyond the text briefly. Last night, however, even my personality couldn't get us through to ten. Even I was yawning! So at nine I pitched the grammar lesson and launched a collective short story, and the next thing you know it's time to leave. Sometimes, wadding up the lesson plan into a little ball is the thing to do.
Joshua,
All of these strategies are ways to get more student engagement. I am sure your students look forward to being able to use these strategies once they have new information and/or skills to apply.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Martha,
Immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is always a motivator for students. You are doing such with this approach. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Case studies, Problem sloving and interactive lectures all help keep students engaged in learning.
Make students interact by giving them demonstrations and letting them practice before moving on to another demonstration.
I think the mini-lecture is effective strategy to keep students engaged in the lesson. The mini-lecture allows them to recieve the material and a short discussion/ question period will enable students to clarify concerns.
I feel it is best to make the students part of the lecture. I will continually call upon students about the material i am lecturing. This keeps them focused on what i am saying at all times.
Cheryl,
I use this approach for my students as well. They really like group work and they get competitive very quickly and this in turn gets them to learn the material very quickly so they can win the game.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
