Hi Janell:
Nice application of reengagement. Not all classes can allow an activity to have a station to rotate through. This works with lab, demonstration, or activity sections of a class but getting the students to the level where they can begin to apply the material reguires more traditiona, structured classes.
Reengagement can be as simple as asking students questions in a random fashion, requesting clarification, or even just standing next to a student who seems unfocused. If students are interested, they'll stay focused. Stories or sharing case studies are a good way to do this.
Regards, Barry
I agree that breaking a class into small group and setting up a skills lab helps keep restless students engaged. I find it is very effective to have the students rotate from station to station every 30 minutes and they have an assignment to complete four skills during this session. This permits me to take note of which students need a little more assistance and work with them one on one.
Hi Barry,
One way that I have found to re-engage students that seem to get off-task, is by sitting with them indivually to see if there is some sort of a problem that I need to be aware of. Many times, I find that it can be a bi-lingual issue. I may be going too fast for them, even though the rest of the class is on track. When this is the case, I may need to spend individual time with that student, or team them up with another student who also speaks their language. I have found this to be very beneficial both for the off-task student, as well as the students who are helping the one who was previously lost. I am grateful that the students I teach in health care are usually there because they already enjoy helping others. :)
Hi Reagan:
Good use of the "Plan-B" resource. Change-ups like this can be very helpful to recapture student interest and focus. Even transitioning back and forth several times in a class may be needed.
Oftentimes, it only takes a little effort to get back on track. But sometimes, whole change-ups are needed.
Regards, Barry
To re-engage off task students i can stop the class and go to my plan B. I can break the class into small discussion groups or try another mode/style of teaching. this will get the attention of the students and hopefully get them re-focused.
Hi Maria:
Good technique. Sometimes it only takes a little bit to get students refocused - I think stories from the world of work or career area are great.
Regards, Barry
I explain to them what would happen in a work situation and possible share a story as an example then get back to the lesson at hand.
Hi Kevin:
Redirecting students back on track allows the teacher to maintain control and have the off track students feel you are guiding the class (without a disciplinary feel to it).
Regards, Barry
Hi Rebecca:
I think stories about real-work-world captivates students and nearly always fets students intesests. Breifly sharing a story, then transitioning back to the lesson is not a bad idea.
Regards, Barry
Spending some time discussing what will happen when they are ready for the real world. Will they be able to succeed witht he knowledge that they are getting or do they need to step back and have another plan.
Sometimes a guest speaker can help in breaking the class up a bit but mostly trying to bring them back to the center of the class discussion.
Hi Sheena:
Another technique that can help prevent students tuning out is asking questions from day one of class in a random fashion. Something like asking the entire group a question, then picking someone off the roster to discuss their thoughts.
Regards, Barry
Hi Steve:
Good job! Hands-on, discussion, guest speakers - a most interesting and engaging class environment. Students are bound to benefit from this setting.
Regards, Barry
Hi Larry:
Mixing up activity is a great tool, especially in some classes, math among them. Keeping students focused and attentive is our job and can be handled from simple steps (moving about the room, calling on non-volunteer students, stepping next to a student, etc), to more agressive moves(such as changing activities, taking a break, facilitating a discussion, etc.). Keeping the class interesting will help with reengagement too.
Regards, Barry
I shift from demonstration to activity. Teaching math gives ample opportunity to put problems on the baord and have students attempt them and/or come to th eboard with solutions. It also gives me fast feedback on difficulties with material.
Hi Sharon:
Well, some would say "knowledge without application is useless". While there's a message to be appreciated, that's probably not entirely true. But whenever we can add a hands on activity, it'll probably make the class more interesting and benefit students by improved retention.
Regards, Barry
Hi Nolan:
Yes, these two are common reasons. Others are tiredness (from work) not enough rest, illness (along with meds), disinterest, and (rarely) mismatched course choice. Nonethe less it's our job to reengage students with enthusiam, excitement, activity and participation, and interesting class assignments that "command attention and focus". We have to be creative, but then, that's our job!
Regards, Barry
Hi Henry:
Groups and inherent group discussion helps keep students engaged. Even so, sometimes nudging students along in their groups may be needed. Participation in almost any form diminishes students from getting diengaged in the first place.
Regards, Barry
i AGREE WITH THE HANDS ON, BEING IN LAB IS ALWAYS A BLAST FOR THE STUDENTS, DEFINATELY HANDS ON
Hi Leonardo:
Good techniques. These varitations either keep students attentive or keep them alert by the movement, activity, or "personalizing" the teaching session. Somtimes more drastic measures are needed. But just altering the atmosphere a little usually may be all that is needed.
Regards, Barry
Hi Eric:
In small classes in a special subject such as yours, I might suggest you look at each days topics and think about 3-4 different ways to present each topic area - not that you're going to use them all necessisarily. But if students become distracted, you can switch to one of your alternative learning methods as a change up to help keep interest and/or re-engage the class.
Regards, Barry
