Our daily lectures are so jam packed with information and we do not give out students copies of the lecture that they are so busy writing down notes from lecture. I like to do "payday" quizes everyday from the previous days lectures and then I call on them one by one on each question to have open discussion. The students really want to do well and be on top of the discussion that they really stay engaged in lecture. I do like to break things up in lectue and have them work in groups on case studies at least once a week also.
In a class the instructor needs to use a variety of techniques. Start with Meet and greet, do a book reading, write important terms on the board and discuss... "Who can tell me what this means", do a project, move from one end of the room to the opposite to give the eye something different to look at.
Hi Tammy,
This normally gets the inattentive students attention so that they know they need to begin to pay attention.
Patricia Scales
Some times I stop talking during lecture and wait to see if the inattentive student notices. :)
Hi Wendi,
Students like it when we incoporate laughter into the lesson.
Patricia Scales
Hi AnnaMarie,
Movement always helps with regaining attetion.
Patricia Scales
I use a some humor and relating in my lectures. I always like to take a moment and point out how certain facts directly relate to their potential positions in the hospital. I also tell short stories of experiences I have had, some are funny.
Thats is a very good way to rejuvenate the students. I as well have my students stand.. or we can take a quick walk around the campus to get the blood circulating. I think this is very important when you see the studnets at that moment when they seem to be be losing focus.
I do this also. I teach at night and find that if I turn out the lights for a ppt presentation, my stuldents turn out their lights too. I also like to move around the room when I am lecturing and try to be enthusiastic about the information I am covering.
Hi To-Mei,
Visuals are key! Most of our learners are visual learners! Seeing makes information stick.
Patricia Scales
Whenever possible, I put in a lot of visual aids in my powerpoint presentation and keep the words to a minimum.
Have the class do some streching exercises during breaks, while lecturing, in 10 MIn. intervals stop and ask questions and have topic discussions.
By giving visual examples, and calling on the learner for participation.
It's necessary for students to listen to the lecture being presented in order to receive the required information, but I try to also make it fun for them. I have, in the past, had the students create a board game using the information given. This breaks them up into smaller groups and allows them to quiz each other in a creative way.
the avg adult attention span is 8 minutes I have found by initiating differnet activites within the classsroom the student will find an area that they feel most comfortable and perform. limitng them to one activity per class session decreases the adult attention span from 8 minutes to 4 minutes especially if it is unfamiliar territory.
I sometimes just get quiet and have a look. I will say excuse me ladies. But I try to let them know in the beginning that respect goes both ways. They should be told that when there is a leacture going on they need to be at attention and taking notes. Learning ethics, respect, morals and values should be part of the class.
P O'Dwyer
I use a variety of methods to try and engage my students. One day I may pose a question of the morning, which can help the class off to a good start. If the class appears to be waning or "eyes glassed over", I completely change direction from source of learning tool to another, this has helped keep the class as a whole more engaged then sticking to a routine type schedule.
By dividing the class and make them responsible for some thing, this means to assign them roles to play.
Powerpoint, pass-around material (if possible), move around room while lecturing.
I have done the same thing it keeps them from getting tired and bored
