Engaging Students in Lecture
When lecturing, I find that if I incorporate real life examples as well as props for example, if I am lecturing on the "Special Senses", I will bring in something sweet, salty, sour, etc and blindfold the students and actually have them use their senses so that they may experience it 1st hand which I find helps to not only engage the new learner but to have them retain the information as well.
Eboni,
Great technique! Works everytime for me. Students like stories, as I think they can relate to some or much of the content shared. If we can capture their attention, we're bound to keep their focus and achieve effective instruction.
Barry Westling
Stories are the best or start the class off by asking them a question concerning a subject matter.
Tracy,
Students like stories. For me, that'll get students refocused faster than anything, then, back to task at hand.
Barry Westling
I do the same thing with my class.I try and use real life examples and what ever we discuss in lecture we will turn around and do the second half of class. The medical field is all hands on so I find if I talk about it and then do it the students retain the information better.
Jane,
I believe in the WIFM concept too. I think this is one of the surest ways to keep students engaged. They can be thinking about a dozen other things while in a class, but as soon as we begin to discuss topics that the students will benefit from, or that they feel is of value, we got them on the hook. WIFM works wonders!
Barry Westling
I believe that real life application is the key to successful learning. I have my students create a WIFM "What's In It For Me" at the start of each new course. I have them write it out and bring it to the second class meeting and we discuss how the course will ultimately satisfy thier WIFM. The students now have a personal foucus and understanding of how the class will positivley affect their lives. This works especially well with students that may not be happy about having to take a course, other than having to take it as a requirement.
Heather,
Real life is cool, as this is what the students signed up to learn. In fact, I think in every session we are missing the boat if there isn't some reference to how the topic relates to the profession or field of study they're preparing for. This is the "light" in that infamous tunnel. We need to constantly bring that light closer to the students a little bit more each day. Using senses, that reinforce some point that is applicable to their eventual job duties is a great way to improve information important to retain.
Barry Westling
