demonstations
While giving a demonstation to the student even though it is visually stimulating how do I keep interest for more than 15 minutes on an hour long demo?
Erin
In my opinion, demonstrations are one of the key elements to teaching.
Demostrations are great. the student needs to see and also be engaged in the learning process. even if it's just writing something on the board to help motivate them to take notes. The student is more likely to take notes if the instructor writes them as they go along.
I do prefer to keep my demos shorter than longer, like all the other respondents have said. There is one demonstation I do with each class, that was originally only 10 minutes, but over the past three years has built up into a one hour demo. Attention span hasn't been a problem...and here's why. I constantly make references during the demo to real life case studies, where I've used what I'm showing them to diagnose intermittent auto driveability problems, that no textbook teaches, I've developed what I show them from life's experiences. I show them "trade secrets". Now, of course, this doesn't apply to the average technical demo, so remind them why they need to know what you are showing them, when they'll apply it in class, and when they'll apply it in the real world while earning a paycheck. And, constantly ask for feedback, to make sure ALL are paying attention.
Hi John,
What do you do to encourage those students that are shy or do not like to present in front of their fellow students.
I really like using students to give demonstrations but at times it can be a real challenge due to their inability to present. How do you make sure that the student led demos are correct and sequenced for maximum learning to occur for all students?
Thanks.
Gary
I preffer to give student led Demo's to help build thier confidence & hold thier intrest too
Can it be broken up into stages and have the students complete each stage?
Hi Walter,
Good advice for all teachers.
Gary
Is it possible to divide your one-hour demo into smaller skill sets? The student(s) perform the tasks within that skill set and you use oral questionning techniques to stimulate the depth of their understanding. Repeat this process until the demo is completed.
I always like to ask if my students understand the "why's and "what's" of the demonstrations. By bringing them into the demonstration, they seem to understand the mechanics a lot better.
I would have to agree. I like to give them little projects to do to keep their attention. The sum of the small projects add up to a big accomplishment.
Hi Erin,
I like to do a demonstration for a few minutes, no more than 15 and then have the students do an activity of application. Using the model, see, then do. This breaks up the time and lets the students apply what they have just seen. All teaching needs to revolve around small units of information and application. The old saying of "How do you eat an elephant?" applies here. Answer "One bite at a time." That is how you can get through hour long sessions with small bites of knowledge, and application.
Gary
