Engaging students in active learning.
I teach evening classes. 6-10 pm. I find it difficult to get the students interested in trying something new. They know the routine and not all of them appreciate "change". I realize that they have been working all day and just want to get done with class. Ideas to help change the negative attitude of some of the students would be appreciated. :) Kim
Hi Jeffrey,
I love your variety! Students like doing different things. What awesome ways to keep students engaged!
Patricia Scales
I totally understand what you’re saying about the students wanting to get the class over. It’s usually the end of a very long day and they are tired. I try to keep shaking things up in the class. I rearrange the tables and chairs; I even set them up so they are all sitting backwards to the front of the class. I never let them sit in the same chair twice in a row I try to do a demo or short internet video that reflects what they are learning that day and that is useful in the industry. Just try not to be the same every day.
Hi Kirk,
This can be tough, and as the instructor you are expected to perform at the same level you would for a 9:00 a.m. course. Every student deserves our very best.
Patricia Scales
I used to teach classes evenings from 6-10 pm. I know that it is very hard to keep them motivated. You might try to change the routine up. Try varying lectures, films, class discussions. Try mixing it up so that the same old routine is not followed. Try to think of some new class projects. Remind them that in the end their hard work will pay off and they will have a better career and sense of pride and accomplishment. Try to stay positive and motivated.
I have the same student response with a 8:00 morniong class. Students are tired they are balancing many things in their lives. I try to start with a review of last week. I tried a 10 minute "pop quiz" then went around the room calling on every student and had them give the answers and of course guiding them with models drawings. This wakes them up and they are more engaged for the new topic.It worked very well.
Hi Tiffany,
Keyboarding is a subject that does not do extremely well for a full four-hour period. The monotony wears on the student. The instructor has to be real creative to keep this subject exciting/interesting for four hours.
Patricia Scales
some subjects just do not do well in the evening. i suggest that you start on time and end on time. be conscious of their time.
Hi Bob,
I agree I have seen a difference in the evening students. I also have seen that an evening student is a very serious student. The evening students must be serious after working 8 hours during the day and willing to come to school during the evening for an additional 4 hours.
Patricia Scales
I agree and don't know if anyone has a great answr. If you work 12 hours a day and come to school for another you will have a harder time learning. There is a differnce betwen teaching a mornindg student and an evening student. The bst part is the evening student is usually more mature and is willing to learn more due to the fact they are more mature
Kim, depending on the class, you can get your students involved. Sometimes sharing real life stories to help them relate to the course material is very helpful. Try not to be to long winded because this can bore the students.
Hi Nicol,
You can also make the determination if they can apply the book theory that you have taught into application.
Patricia Scales
I agree, with courses that are four hours long although, breaks are given students focus on the time most than the actual lecture. Chunking is a great technique I usually have students do an activity pertaining to the learn material after a section or discussion. The purpose is to recall previous leaned material and how well the material was retained.
I have the same issue. My students are in class basically 8-5PM and I have them from 2-5. It's rough! I follow the same format (roughly) every class period so they know exactly what to expect. I lecture/discuss the first part of class (by the end they are too tired to sit through it!), do a group activity the second part, and a thought response/material application for the last part. Knowing the "steps" seems to help them make it through the long class period.
Hi Stanley,
Nice go between. Students like doing, and hands-on really break the monotony.
Patricia Scales
With the tired students and the long classes, I try a technique called chunking. We discuss or cover a short section, and then the students work on an activity concerning that topic. I will also provide students with activities to do which depend on what we are covering in class, and then go back and forth between discussion and doing. If the activities are graded, either by myself or by the students doing the work, it motivates them. It will also help them when they take the work home, based on what they have done in class.
Hi Kimberli,
Continue to vary! I am sure most of your students appreciate the variation. Have a good firm talk with those students who have bad attitudes.
Patricia Scales
