New Instructor
What is a good way to keep the class more involved as the class goes on. I teach and evening class for 3 hours and want to be able to keep them engaged the whole time.
Hi Libi,
First, let me welcome you to the profession of teaching. I hope you have a long and rewarding career as an educator.
In longer classes the key to keeping students energized variety. By changing the pace or having different activities you can keep the students engaged for the duration of the clinical. Also, you can just have them pause for a few minutes and brainstorm about a situation they get to redirect their brains a bit and that is refreshing as well.
Gary
I am a new instructor and wanted to know.How would you keep the students energized during a 12 hour clincial, especially during the late after noons?
As a new instructor, I experienced the same problem with my 4-hour night class and never considered using youtube videos. I realized that my 'routine' structure was beginning to bore the students, so I began to have the students break up in groups after each lesson and write out key points learned during the lesson. Each group had to present and not cover what was covered by the last presenting group. This really helped with student interaction.
The youtube videos and games are great suggestions that I will incorporate in my class structure.
Hi Charles,
I would suggest the Jeopardy game. It is a PowerPoint game that you load your own questions into and it responses much like the real game. My students really enjoy playing it. I put them into teams and we have a format similar to Family Feud but with Jeopardy questions. Used for reviews and at times when the students get worn down.
Gary
I work with a combination of powerpoint, lecture, discussion and youtube videos on (or near the subject) to break up the night as well. Do you have suggestions for game?
Hi Mark,
Yes, you can. If you use too much variety then it seems more like a 500 item buffet rather than a organized dinner. The variety items should be introduced at a point where the students need a break or a diversion from the straight content. The items need to be carefully planned out so they flow into the lesson. Read the students and then determine which activity you want to use. For example, the lecture has been going great but you can tell your students are at their limit of concentration. You pause and ask them to write down the key point of the last lecture segment. (We call these 60 second papers). You can call on several students to share theirs or ask them to hand them in to you and then go on with the class. You have given them a break, they have gotten to review in their minds the key points and you have not disrupted the flow of the class.
What you want to make sure is that you don't just stop and stick some activity in because you have one. If you have any additional questions on this please let me know.
Gary
Gary,
Could I possibly create confusion using too much variety instead of a steady regiment?
Mark
Hi Tim,
The key is variety. I teach from 4 until 10 pm. My students are tired from their day's work just as are yours so I have to keep things moving. Do mini-lectures of 15-20 minutes and then do a discussion, small group activity, game, etc. This lets them take a breath and relax a bit before new content is introduced. Read you students and you will be able to tell when you need to change the pace or offer some type of learning that is different from the lecture.
Gary
