Re-directing students
When students get "off track", redirecting them I find easier when I incorporate what they are talking about to the orignal topic or question
Hi Marlene:
Students are bound to divert from the basic topic in discussions, because that's how conversation occur. One might consider asking, "so how does that relate to.....(insert topic)?" when students get off track. Or you could suggest "I hear what you're syaing, and based on our topic there is a similarity which is....(insert topic). Keeping them engaged and involved seems most important. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort to keep the boat steered in the direction you want.
Regards, Barry
I teach Sociology and no matter what the topic is, the students always seem to go off track. They always want to relate what is discussed to their own lives. They want to share experiences and their opinions which is great, however I also need to teach a certain amount of material during each class. It has been a challenge as well as enjoyful. Class ended on Monday and as I was saying my good-bye speech to the students, they indicated that they enjoyed the class but didn't like how I always got them back on track discussing the original topic.
Hi Melanie:
Reengaging students can be important in using our time to the fullest. I think there are simple and more agressive measures we can take to address this common occurrence.
On the simple side, just switching from say, PPT to whiteboard can do it. Or asking a question that results in getting back on track. A stretch. Or a quick story like" that reminds me of the time when..." Then, you bring it back.
More agressive methods might include. stopping and taking a break, swithintching to a different topic, or going a whole different direction. For instance, if I've been lectureing, and students seem to be falling into the doldrums, I may say "Okay, now let's see what our text has to say about this" and have the students open their tesxtbooks and either read a section or serach out an answer. I might then continue follwoing the text for a while.
These more aggressive techniques are effective, but they don't always follow the outline or lesson plan as well but better teachers are usually able to make it fit in, rather than hust losing the students altogether.
Regards, Barry
Students are also very good at getting teachers "off track". I feel some play back and forth is beneficial but if it occurs too frequently it takes away from the course lesson plan/content. If students get off track I will use one of my Plan B activities, take a break if we are at that point in the class, and/or change the path of the class. On a side note I feel it is always good reminder for the instructor that their interest level and enthusiam on a topic will also help keep students on track!
Anne-Marie:
Good. One way of redirecting is to bring everyone back to topic by sharing a story, example, or pointing out what the text has to say about the discussion, then, you're right back where you left off ready to take the lesson further.
Regards, Barry
