Keeping your students focus and awake during the class
I teach nursing students who usually work at night as LVN's then attend the class the next day. Any suggestion in keeping them awake in the class for 270 minutes?
This answer is related to a question I posed in another section about students coming to my late class lasting 4 hours directly from work and eating during the beginning of class which is their dinner.
Try to engage them in conversation. Create an ambiance that really highlights your presence as the facilitator and engages them in discussion.
I saw the previous post was about nurses who work the night before; I think this goes for those who have worked all day and then come to class for three hours at night also. I agree with your thoughts of movement and activities. Even the most intriguing class, after 2 hours, could get tiring. Auditory and written word learning could make even the most alert person somewhat sleepy. :)
Hi Eva,
I use food for my students as well and I don't teach in the culinary field. Instructors learn quickly that food is a way to get students settled into a class. I like it when instructors are creative and use what ever it takes to keep students engaged and focused on learning, in this case it is food. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I have had that same problem and all my student have to be there at 6 am. Many tend to work late hours for the industry we are in. One way I have found that wakes just about anyone up is offering them food, especially early in the morning. Becuase I teach at a culinary school, it makes it a bit easier then per say other instructors to obtain food but even the offering of something to drink will usually rile most students awake.
Hi Michelle,
This is much like answering the question of "how do you eat an elephant?" Answer "One bite at a time." This method of teaching helps the students to see the units of content they are studying and how they can be used in their learning development.
Gary
I think by introducing mini-lectures and then following up with a demonstration will help keep the students focused. Get the students to repeat what you are doing or keep reminding them of the main objective so you know they are on the right track and their minds are in the present moment not tomorrow or next week.
Hi Amie,
Many of the things you listed in your previous post. Movement and activities really help to keep the blood flowing and the brains working. I use a lot of small group activities to keep my students moving from place to place in the classroom. Rotations to other groups, etc. Anything that involves both cognitive and tactile learning will help to keep them awake.
Gary
