Keeping you 'students focused
How far should we go to keep our students focused?
Steven,
Thank you for giving us a number of proven strategies to try in our own classrooms and labs. I know this information will be very helpful especially to those instructors just starting their careers.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Over the years I have found that the important thing an instructor must have is being able to explain the content CLEARLY. In addition, whenever I’m talking to my learners, the most important words I can use are why, because, and you.
Further more, I ask questions, ranging up and down Bloom's hierarchy, ranging from "What is a ___?" to "What carburetor is that on the screen?" to "What's your best diagnosis?" to "How would you evaluate a run ability issue on a watercraft?" Then there's the broad-cast to encourage anyone to contribute: "Who's had experience with..." I walk amongst the students, encouraging them to answer questions. When I ask questions of the group, I do not call on students who do not return my gaze. The rest of the class will not realize this, and consider themselves at risk.
Anything I can do which brings two or more students to the front of the room will keep the rest of the class focused. I enjoy designing games and so forth.
When one highly-capable student attempts to dominate the classroom, I invite that student to be my assistant for the day and answer all the other students' questions first, before I do so. I have used this with great effectiveness.
Keeping you'students focused could be difficult if the instructor is not well prepare for the teaching process.
Barbara,
Not exactly sure of your question so my answer is based upon my understanding of it. Keeping them focused is to show them relevancy and application in terms of content. Enthusiasm and excitement about the field. Meaningful activities and assignments.
Gary
