Engaging students
I always try to tell students that they have the knowledge to do the next activity and it will be easy for them. I am amazed at how they react that it IS actually easy for them.
I believe is always asking my student questions and always letting them know they ask me questions. Cosmetology, I am always letting them know that practice make perfect. I have to spend more time with some students so they will feel comfortable in the practical room
Vernise,
and the more positive you are, typically the more positive the students will be. Unfortunately this works the other way as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Hi Michelle,
I find that including fun games for reveiw is very helpful and also keep my students interested.
Some students like to take the lead and be in
charge of conducting the games and I find this very helpful and it proves to be a great learning experience for my students.
I tell my students positive feeds positive and I like to keep the negativity out of the classroom.
Keeping a positive learning environment is very important and I accomplish this by placing this this responsiblity on the students.
Vernise
Michelle,
yes, these activities are engaging & also help solidify the previous learning in the minds of the students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I find involving review games that are fun really helps the studnet engage in the review. By doing this it also allows the others in there group to help and support the classmates.
Lisa,
yes, this is a great point that we all should try to remember. Learn to appreciate & embrace the silence. Give them time to process.
Dr. Ryan Meers
In teaching students for a specific profession, if I start to loose their attention, I try to get them to re-engage by asking them how a particular subject relates to their new career.
Give students time to think before they respond to your questions.
Do not be afraid of silence. Give students 5-10 seconds to think and formulate a response. If 10-15 seconds pass without anyone volunteering an answer and the students are giving you puzzled looks, rephrase your question. Do not give in to the temptation to answer your own questions, which will condition students to hesitate before answering to see if you will supply “the answer.†Patience is key; do not be afraid of silence. The longer you wait for students to respond, the more thoughtful and complex those responses are likely to be.
Marshall,
it is difficult to really engage our students, but sounds like you are making strong efforts.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I'm always searching for new ways to engage students in their learning. I spent over a hour working one a non graded vocabularly matching quiz only to notice that a student didn't even have it out as we were reviewing it. It came to mind to get a sultan's hat and cape to promote this learning event as "Ask the Swami" or a Sherlock Holmes cap and Calabash pipe to add a flare of mystery to the mundane.
Heinz,
this is a great way to prepare them for the new concepts, techniques, etc that are coming.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I show pictures or slides of unusual food items and dishes which always creates interest and curiosity on where it comes from , what is is used for and what to do with it.
The same goes for specialized tools.
Yes, I agree. Sometimes experiencing something is much more effective than just hearing about it.
Aisling,
I would agree that the more we can keep them engaged & busy the better off the entire class will be.
Dr. Ryan Meers
i engage my students by having interesting fact quizes with them every 30 minutes and they really enjoy this. We also have a lot of hand on activities that relate to the topic we are discussing so the student can understand the topic. I think the student learns bette when they are activity working with their hands and experiencing it themselves.
Jennifer,
this is a great strategy that I'm sure helps open up conversations.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Antoehr technique is engaging the students are to createa open and welcoming environment that inspirs their curiosity. I personally have various medical instruments from the past and present scattered throughout the class to excite a discussion or questions from students.
Constance,
yes setting those positive expectations for our students often is a great way to get them prepared for learning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
