15 minutes - GO!
The basic premise that you have 15 minutes to get the point across is a daunting task. Knowing this helps keep the lecture moving and prompts the lecturer to 'change gears' every quarter hour or risk loosing the audience.
Another way I believe of extending that 15 minute attention span is to keep them more involved in a discussion rather than just lecturing to them. If you can keep them asking questions, or drawing diagrams to better understand how something works, while you are delivering the material they seem to be able to go about 30 minutes before I start to see people loosing interest. Then it's time for a state change.
I find I don't need a state change every15 mins. I know my subject and also many peripherals connected to it. Usually I find students have more questions than I can answer in a reasonable time
Yes, it is amazing how a state change can wake up a whole classroom of drowsy students and get them engaged again. One good way to see if they are paying attention is to say something that is completely off the subject and suddenly watch most of them make eye contact and start making comments and asking questions.
Gary Williams
Hi Rich,
Well said about the pace and length of presenting lecture content. This need for change of pace helps not only to keep the students engaged in the learning process but also helps to keep us instructors excited about our field due to the challenges of how to present the content.
Gary
