Monir,
Good way to help develop their confidence at the beginning of the course. This will help them to work even harder when they are asked to do more difficult work later on in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I create rotation project for class, and I ask student to choose the part that they want to work on. Usually they want to do the part that they are able to do and they have good skill. This way helps them to feel good and start enjoying to work with others as well as inspire and learn from each other.
Gwen,
This class opening is very important because it sets a tone for the class and helps the students get to know more about each other as well as you the instructor. I find introduction time to be a lot of fun and I am always amazed at how diverse the life experiences of my students are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Make sure each has a chance to introduce themselves and the reason they chose the course. Each student should work in groups, and also making sure the groups change regularly.
Kevin,
I use games a lot in my classes as well. My students really like to play them when we are reviewing for an upcoming quiz. They cover a lot of material, have a lot of fun and get a realistic picture of what they need to study in preparation for the quiz.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gary,
I find the games tend to work with smaller class sizes better. The important thing is the enjoyment and interest that the students show in the course .Imagine an economic class session where they play monoply and discuss the real word hypotheticals during play!
Kevin,
Games are a lot of fun and I use them frequently when we are reviewing for a quiz. My students get very competitive very quickly plus they realize that they really know more than they think they do when they start answering the questions in our Jeopardy game.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sarah,
Good ideas of how to get students involved and comfortable in a new course. These simple things really help to get students settled into a new course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I recently began having them pplay a board game or card game that is somehow related to the subject of the course. This creates a nice bond that carries through the rest of the class session whatever the activity.
There are several ways to make students feel part of the class. Sending a warm welcoming email starts to set the tone for the class. Some other things is learning every students name and giving frequent feedback whether good or bad
Dr. Kipp,
You are providing some very important opportunities for your students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. The more experiences like this they can have the more confidence they will have as they go out into the work world and start their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I immediately engage in an interactive, hands-on exercise, such as solving a problem cooperatively. My objectives include students engaging in collaboration, communication, decision-making, and finding solutions.
Glenn,
Like the way you plan and conduct your classes. These strategies engage all of the students in a way that lets them see that they are valued and you are there to provide support to them as needed but they in return are going to have to put forth effort if they are going to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As an instructor, during the beginning of the semester I focus on providing a welcoming environment, learning the names of everyone in the class, providing an ice-breaker activity, etc. Once this is established, I incorporate several additional strategies including the "think, pair, share" where they work out the problem by themselves, then share it with a partner or small group to see if they would change their answer, and then ask for volunteers to share their group answer with the entire class. I also provide opportunities for small group work / learning groups.
I also help students draw the connection between the content and how it will be applicable in their future careers and currently in their personally life. For each class, I greet them and have pre-class discussion and am available after class. I also reach out to students who have not turned in work or have missed class, give positive feedback during the class by acknowledging their participation, and provide positive formative feedback on a continual basis.
Wendy,
You have a supportive and comfortable way of starting a new class and your integration of all students in the review process is a good one. Your students are able to contribute to the class discussions in a way that enables them to contribute without feeling like they are in the spotlight.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to on the first night of class have everyone tell their name, and a little bit about themselves. I then tell them a little bit about myself. It helps them start to interact with each other.
I also like to separate the students into groups to encourage participation and interaction.
When reviewing for tests, we will go around the room, each reading questions. I don't like to do answers this way, I don't want to make anyone feel too uncomfortable if they don't know an answer.
Jimin,
Good suggestions for getting students engaged in the class and feeling comfortable with being a part of the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Assign them in a group and monitor them to encourage them will make them feel a part of the class. Also be friendly and care when they start loosing the grasp of class and listen what they are going through.
David,
I use ice breakers to start every new class because they help to get the students settled into the course and starts them getting to know each other. We have a lot of fun with them and I learn a lot about my students in the process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Establish an ice breaker activity at the beginning of the course to let the students interact with each other and feel a part of a group instead of all by themselves in a new class. Also learning alittle about each student to get to know them on a more personal level to make them feel like a valued member of the group.
