Carol,
I wish you much success with this endeavor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'd like to give this a try. It will be challenging, given that I'm using an existing syllabus and lesson plans, nothing I myself have created. But this looks like a good way to engage students and keep them from falling asleep during those wee-hours-of-the-morning classes.
Thank you for the idea!
Carol Penn-Romine
I also agree with Laura and David.
The more variety of sctivities I can incorporate the more engagment my students have. Since my subject matter is visually based (Studio arts and graphic design) I really must incorporate visual elements in all my lessons. Also being that most of my classes are studio based hand-on activities are required. When it is time for hand-on lessons I really try to have the students play an active roll not just watching. Giving them each a chance to play the roll of "assistant" really gets them excited and they anticipate classroom activities.
Michael,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instruction. Your approach outlines such a strategy. Thank you for sharing it with us. I know it will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe all students learn when they feel supported in their learning style. As an instructor, I prefer to be as flexible as possible. Rigidity can become staid over time. Students learn best from people they like to be around. Enjoyment and fun can be great tools to use when attempting to educate.
Also incorporating the body with the mind can help integrate a deeper sense of embodied learning of a subject. Using rhythm and movement brings a deeper learning than just using a cognitive approach alone.
Students, like anyone, like to play from time to time, they smile, enjoy and relax, all conducive to creating a better learning environment.
Maria,
For sure. This is how you keep the students engaged over the duration of the course sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Its good to throw in fun activities along the way...keeps everything exciting!!
DAVID E,
Students do need to "reboot" their brains at times. By "reading" your students as you are you are helping them to stay engaged over the duration of longer class sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
DAVID E,
By delivering a mini-lecture and then have an activity such as a small group discussion, Q&A session, case study, etc. you are helping them to internalize the just delivered content. The retention level will be higher because they get and then apply content. Then you can give another mini-lecture and repeat the process. I think you will like the results you get from this approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
DAVID E,
You are moving them from being passive to active learners. By engaging them in the Q&A sessions as well posing questions to them you are helping them make application of the new material.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
LaShonda,
Good way to balance your delivery of content with application of the information in different ways. Students like variety and change of pace in delivery and this approach will enable it to happen.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Juvenal,
I think you are going to like how your students stay engaged during the shorter sessions. Then you can do activities with your students and give another mini-lecture. At the end of the session the content retention will be much higher.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also tend to "read" my students and at times have noticed that it is definitely time for a break. Although we get a break every 50 minutes sometimes more are needed. I will ask them to close their laptops or books/notes and just start a conversation about anything related to topic or just start talking about today's world/local events. This helps their mind take a break!!
I'd like to try this 15 minute mini lessons. I hope that I can succeed. At times some students grasp the lesson, at other times some of my slower students need additional time. I will try incorporating this concept. Like I've learned in this online course - trial and error!
I have always challenged my students. I've set expectations and they are well aware of these. Every day at the end of every topic I ask questions of what we have just discussed, kind of a review/questionnaire. I do this just to reinforce subject presentation. It makes them pay more attention knowing that I will be asking questions at the end. At times I just ask these during instruction. This I believe keeps them on their toes!!
Once I have learned how all my students comprehend, I then prepare my material so that it is effective using visuals aids, examples,and real life scenerios. At the same time, I asks questions to make sure that eveyone is understanding and interested in what I am saying.
Something that I learn from the on-line course is that we can keep students focus by teaching the course content in 15 minutes mini-lessons. This is something that I am going to incorporate in my teaching practice.
I agree with Laura,it seems the more variety in activities, the more inerested students become. When students think they know what to expect they become complacent, this affects attendance, morale, and attention spen.
Laura,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. The more you can do this the more engagement you are going to have. You are doing a good job of this with your approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Use different materials and exercises to keep their interests. Examples are group projects, games and oral quizzes
