Hi Claire- Thanks for your post to the forum. The reason you are NOT boring your students by repetition is because you are cleverly finding mutiple options to represent the concepts! Excellent work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
One of my irrational fears is of boring my students by repeating materal I think we've covered extensively. Then one day, a very bright and committed student told me (a little facetiously) that people needed to hear something 200 times before they knew it. So I've given up my fear of boring my students by going over the same material numerous times. I use different examples and stories to illustrate the point, and try to use the students who are already clear to draw charts on the board or explain the topic. For so long, I had the false belief that if I'd explained something clearly and well, and if no one responded when I asked "Does anyone have any questions?" then all the studends understood the concepts and ideas. So, I don't "hammer" on the subject, but I do find another way to approach it, discuss it, and apply it, until every student understands.
Hi Cheryl- Thanks for sharing some ideas for adding variety to online classes. Best wishes- Susan
The attention span issue is a true concern. How often to break? What type of activities to pursue? In the online world, there are many different venues that seem to keep and hold attention. The u-tube clips; anything visual with sound; and practice tests like these courses use seem to grab the attention of many learners.
HI Rob - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are right - changing things up every 15 min. or so is a great idea. It avoids the "glassy eyes" syndrome induced by too much lecture! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Reviewing class material in the room should not be too long, it is hard to pay attention and concentrate without some kind of state change,
about every 15 minutes it is a good idea to do something a little different, it might be something as simple as changing your tone of voice, asking questions, you could tell the class that it is time for open discussion so it gives everyone a chance to talk about things.
Hi William - Thanks for your post to the forum. You mention a major problem we often see in career education- so many students just have difficulty reading! Any ideas that have worked for you that you can share? Best wishes- Susan
That is true, but I think it is important to instill learning qualities that many students do not ascribe to. I find that in my classroom, many of my students do not understand how to read dense material, so it is of importance to me to teach them how to read so that I will not have to do so much "hammering" and bringing things home. I expect my students to come to class fully prepared to intelligently discuss the material to get the most out of it.
It is not a matter of hammering home the subject but making shure they understand what is being asked of them before you move on or they have learned nothing.
It should also depend on the majority of the students in the class. If you see they are actively answering questions, are able to give examples and feel comfortable with the content, it is time to move to the next subject.
Good call to bring the students in after class, when you talk one on one for a short time it can clear up a lost student.
Hi Sean - If a significant number of students haven't "gotten" the concept you cannot move on. if it is only one or two, then ask them to meet with you after class to review again. Best wishes - Susan
