Lecture times
I have heard from multiple people including this course to not lecture for more than 20 min at a time. My questions is if you have a subject that you are covering that requires more than 20 min to cover it what do you typically do? Do you stop in the middle move onto something else and then pick up the topic again?
I'm teaching medical terminology, where a lot of the content is lecture based. As a new instructor, I'm needing some different or new alternative to basic lecture...
I know sometime down the road, I can integrate Jeopardy into my teaching...any other options?
Hi Amie,
Good strategy for learning. You are offering your students a variety of ways to become engaged in the course without losing their focus.
Gary
Hi Dr. Meers.
I lecture for half an hour and then we do group readings, discussion and presentations then I give them a fifteen minute break before proceeding to another lecture. I use videos too every other week.
Hi Amie,
Yes it does. I teach at nights long block classes so I know what you are talking about. I have to work very hard to keep the students engaged and the topics moving. Variety is the key as you mentioned. What is one strategy that you have had very good results in using with your students?
Gary
My class is a once a week 270 minutes meetings. I find it really challenging. I do lectures, group readings/discussion, film/video presentation. We get a fifteen-minute break every after activity. It takes a lot of planning and preparation on my part.
I try to keep my lectures to the facts. I also keep them no longer then 30 minutes.
I have found that extensive lecture lengths can be difficult to kep the attention of students. I have had good results using mini lectures (20-30 min) then followed by group activity reviewing or applying the information.
Also, you can have the discussion of those 20 minutes, let them participate and be part of the lecture.
Hi Cassie,
There are a number of things you can do to give your students a bit of a think break while lecturing. When you are getting to the fifteen-twenty minute range of the lecture, you can have them do an activity using the material you just covered. (Worksheets, small groups, etc.) If this doesn't work into your plan then just pause for at least 5 seconds while you walk to another part of the room. The pause along with the students looking up as you move from one part of the room to another gives their brains a break. The concentration is broken for a few seconds but not the flow of the class. Research has shown that even these mini-breaks help to refresh the students' concentration. Then you can have them get up move around, take a 10-15 minute break when appropriate.
Gary
