Changing the state of the classroom engages the brain
How often do we as instructors enter the classroom and engage, or believe we are engaging, students with the wonderfully prepared lesson we are anxious to present without guaging whether our learners are ready to learn. Determining the state of the classroom and making necessary adjustments prior to beginning the lesson is essential to its' success. If a student is still mentally engaged with baggage they brought into the room they are most likely not engaged with the instructor. We have have to creatively and critically assess what we might do to create an engaging learning environment.
I have a more challenging group of students this 6 weeks. They are younger, mostly kinesthetic learners, and more immature than any group I have ever had. This presents its own share of challenges.... I find that to keep this group engaged, I need to read the material and pick out only what is necessary for them to know (especially in an accelerated program like the new massage therapy program). My observation is that the students typically do not read the material, and would rather the instructor read, and point out only what is important for them to know. I find that difficult to understand, because I am from the old school way of learning, where an instructor assigns a reading assignment and perhaps a homework lesson, and then he/she lectures about it the next day. These days, the students (especially the younger ones) expect "you" to read the material for them, and "you" to figure out what is important for them to know. So, in my few years of teaching, I have figured out that it is very important to explain to the student what a learning objective is, so they know what their expected outcome should be. I find that this gives them a better direction especially when they have to read, and helps them put their focus on what is important, and not so much on the other details. I think that with today's busy world, as an instructor, we have to be more specific and direct and to the point so that our learners do not lose interest.
Steve,
this is very true as that change can put them "off-balance" enough to be open to new information.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Sometimes changing the landscape of the classroom will endose the learning process.
Every time we come into the class room I feel the class out(wether in a jokey mood or a sleepy mood or a "I'm ready to learn this stuff" mood) and try to start accordingly. Maybe starting the pace slower or faster than normal works.
