how to make students always interested in what you are teaching?
I think in order for the students to stay focus on your discussion is first you as a teacher have to assessed first their knowledge of the subject, some students might not be interested because they already know that subject matter.
Is there anything else you might want to add on this topic?
Hello Irene,
I usually have my students complete an interest inventory test during the first week of class. I use the data to assist with my planning of class activities. Also, I try to incorporate real-life situations into my lessons in order to increase student's interest levels in a topic. This creates many opportunities for students to discuss, problem solve, and apply acquired skills. It also provides an opportunity for students to reflect and come up with new ideas and strategies. In addition, I like to use the KWL method. I have students list what they already know about a topic, what they would like to know, and after discussion they list what they learned.
Hi Tina,
Good strategies for bringing the value of your field into the lives of your students. By making application and relevancy a part of your efforts you are showing your students how much value there is to management concepts and principles. You are making great progress in your own educational development and expertise. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I am a new teacher teaching management principles to students at a local community college. All of my students take my course as an elective and none of them much care for management. I find this challenging since my entire college career has been in business and management. The way I relate the course content to them is threefold. First of all I relate all management/leadership functions to them in their daily lives and I stress that principles can be used there too and not just in business. Secondly I relate real world stories within our community to management principles and make sure they understand how management affects every aspect of their lives from city taxes to what kind of functions we have within out community. Thirdly, I try to explain to them some unique circumstances I've been in and I ask them to share as well. When students think about this (usually some need prodding) they realize that yes, management does spill over into their lives. I think they become a bit more motivated understanding how management affects all of us and then the material is not so dry. At least I hope!
I don't pretest their knowledge on the subject because when we start class I ask them all what their background is and what their major is in school. This pretty much tells me there is zero knowledge about management but once we get into the class the students realize that management principles apply to them in everyday life-they just didn't know there was a fancy term or model to explain it.
I think that's a great idea. I will incorporate that in my next class. Thank you for the idea
Hi Amanda,
Good way to move the thinking of the students from abstract to concrete. They can see with through their own lists how much progress they have made in just five weeks.
Gary
Hello-I like to have an interact discussion with my students on the first day of class to test their beginning knowlege. I usually go student to student and we make a list on the board of any information, facts, etc. that is related to the coure outline. On the last day of class, we make this list again. This will show them just how much we learned in the five week course.
Hi Joseph,
I am a big user of pretests myself. They give me so much information in relation to planning my content and instructional delivery. Helps me set the right tone for my new classes. I hope this has been your experience as well.
Gary
I use pretesting as well. I teach medical labs and it allows students to show what they have learned in previous classes.
Would you suggest this at the beginning of a lab course such as MS Office?
Hi Irene,
I like to use pretesting to help me know what my new group of students knows and does not know about my content area. Once I know this I can customize my instructional approach to keep everyone engaged.
Gary
