Have a good time in class
Make sure to your course material that needs to be covered. But remember enjoy yourself
I believe that it is important to enjoy yourself while learning.
I love to create activites that create fun for the class. I really think the students have fun in my class.
Frank,
I agree. Enthusiasm is the most noticeable characteristic for an instructor. However, the enthusiasm must be authentic, because most students can tell when an instructor is "pretending" to be engaged with course.
Tremayne Simpson
Yes,
If the instructor is enthusiastic about his or her subject matter, it is infectous.
There is nothing worse than an uninterested, monotoned, withdrawn, non-animated instructor, teaching a couse just after the lunch hour. Sure way to put your class to sleep. Knodding heads,
dropped pens, and empty seats are sure to result!
Lance,
I agree. Interestingly, students seem to recall the details of an entertaining activity, more so than the topic that is being discussed. Therefore I make sure that the activity is completely connected to the topic and keeps the interest of the students.
Tremayne Simpson
I HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN THE STUDENT IS HAPPY THEY RETAIN THINGS BETTER. SO I DEFINITELY TRY TO ENTERTAIN THEM SO THEY KEEP COMING BACK.
I agree, I found as a new instructor it is important to relax, enjoy the students comments and feedback and just have fun.
Jeannie,
Getting students to consistantly attend class, is a difficult task. Since they are adults, school is just one of many priorities in their lives. To counter this, I make sure that my discussion boards (via the student portal) produce great activity and student participation. Nothing will replace missing a "dynamic class", however there are a few subtle methods that can be used to account for the inevitable.
Tremayne Simpson
It is a combination of attitude and passion. In my experience, if I am having a good time with a lesson, the students will learn the subject. The only thing over which I have no control is attendance. The student must be present to access the exchange of energy in a dynamic class.
Benjamin,
It is excellent, that you are able to keep "non-Math" majors focused on Math for 5 hours. I'm curious...what types of interactive activities do you provide during the session, that keeps the students engaged?
Tremayne Simpson
I teach math for the nursing program here on campus. Once a term, we have a 5 hour class on math for their end of the term exam. Since this is a LONG time to cover one topic, I do everything workshop style. The activities are all interactive, and amazingly, after 5 hours, no students ever leave early. This term, we had 100% of that group pass their math test, and many explained that they were not bored after that much time working on math together.
If there is no fun than there is no learning. I try to be as excited about the subject as I can even when I think the lesson is dry and boring. I will concentrate on my animation and voice reflection to insure that the students see how exited I am. I end up with the whole class getting involved in the lesson. It also helps to let the students know why they must now the material and how they will be applying it in class and lab activities.
Michael,
I agree. It makes the learning process easier, when an instructor can see that their students are enjoying the class.
Tremayne Simpson
Kathryn,
This is an excellent point. Instructors that teach the perceived "dry subjects" have to find innovative ways to motivate and enhance the experience for their students. In addition, instructors that teach the "exciting subjects" need to enhance the learning experience as well, in order to maintain the students' level of motivation for the course.
Tremayne Simpson
This is very true! The first time the class I was teaching seemed to fly by, I realized that everyone had not only learned a good deal that day, but they had an enjoyable experience as well!
The subject I teach is very dry. In other schools my class is considered a necessary evil. I am an entertainer at heart, however, and through humor, enactments, demonstrations and stories I have had almost 100% of my students say that my class is one of their favorites. The students have also done well on the National exams. I think even a "dull" subject can be made interesting. If the students are awake they will learn more!
Heather,
Whenever class time seems to "evaporate" quickly, you know that you have provided an exciting session!
Tremayne Simpson
I absolutely agree! Some classes can seem to last forever. Therefore, it is extremely important to make sure that there is some element of fun in every class.
Definitely! However I try to get everyone to have fun. I enjoy anatomy period. Not everyone else does. So i try to find that common ground that we all enjoy and use to relate the subject to what they will remember. Like finding out if it's visual or audio humor that they respond to the most. Or maybe they like random facts.
