TOO MUCH MATERIAL
I lecture with a power point presentation covering a lot of informatin in 30 to 45 minutes. Then I follow with a class activity between the lectures. I will need to reduce the lecture lenght to hold the attention span of the students, and plan more discussion during the lectures.
This was a very useful discussion in that I too did not realize that one's focus is best when the lecture is 15-18 minutes long, so the different methods of holding students' attention is helpful.
Martha, I think your approach here makes a lot of sense. I'm going to start moving the most important concepts to the beginning as well, before my students have all leaned to the left, right back and front in the hopes of finding the perfect sleeping position. I'm joking of course, but I do think covering key points first is probably a good strategy.
Sihbhan, surely you must be joking? About an hour is the longest I've ever gone--going longer than that accomplishes very little in my opinion.
Ed
This was a not a major issue for me but my school has recently changed its format, it has reduced class time by 15 minutes and eliminated one full week of our term. We still must present the same amount of material within this reduced framework and it has caused a bit of stress both among the staff as well as the students. This doesn't sound like much but it does have a huge impact in what we are able to accomplish given the reduced class time available. Many of us are still struggling with this new structure. We are still looking for the magic shortcut that will make this new structure workable for both the students and staff. Right now, we are doing the best we can, using whatever method we can find or create, to make it work.
Bob, you made a good point. There are other factors that also affect a student's attention span. For example, it is difficult to keep a student focused if they are sleepy or have worked a long shift and are operating without much sleep.
Teresa, sometimes I have too much material to cover and I know it in advance. I deliver the most important information first if it makes sense with the sequencing. I follow that with a class activity followed by more lecture. I will review the key points the following link to reinforce points covered when their attention span was low.
Siobhan, I think it would help if you sat in a lecture for 5 hours to see what your students are going through. You will start coming up with new ways to keep their attention.
Hi Bob,
That is why teaching is so much fun. You have to use variety to keep students engaged. By changing the flow, delivery or activity after a period of time you let the students reset their brains and apply what they have just heard or viewed. The fun part is continually thinking up ways of presenting the information while keeping the students focused.
Gary
The attention span is not only 15-18 minutes. It is only that long in a specific learning style. If you lecture that long, then do an activity, then a demonstration, etc. you can have them longer. It is vital though that they be given opportunity to express what they are learning either in a small group review of what has been covered, discussion as a class or such and then move on but not before you know if you lost them. I even use colored (red and green) cards for them to put up when we have gone too long and they are defocusing. I see no sense going on when I have lost them. I try to be creative and change styles often to reach every learner.
Hi Elizabeth,
You hit the key point with your comment about pace. The ebb and flow of the class helps the students to recycle their brains a bit. Just a simple pause while you walk from one side of the room to the other is enough to let the students catch their breath. Using activities and projects help with the learning process as well. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I also struggle with too much material. One of the things I do, to keep students focused, is change the presentation style. So if I lecture for 15-20 minutes, I then interject a slide to discuss. It isn't so much that adults need to stop learning every 15-20 minutes, but need a different style. I lecture for 3 hours, with 1 15 minute break. However, we change the pace frequently.
Hi Melissa,
This is where an in-depth analysis needs to made of the course content. Through this process you can identify essential core content as well as good to know content. Then you can make sure they get the essential content and support it with the good to know material. Run the content by your advisory committee so see if they agree. You want to make sure they are getting the essential content related to the current best practices of the field.
Gary
I also struggle with the decision to skim over some topics in favor of having more interactive time. However sometimes I am concerned that they will be expected to have exposure to more material once they are graduated and in their profession.
I really like the idea of doing 10 minute lectures. They keep my energy up as an instructor, and keep the students' heads in class. Breaking students up to discuss and teach each other sometimes is more effective that you standing in front of them babbling about stuff they are not comprehending. I'm glad to learn this information!
Hi Siobhan,
With the attention span of students in mind you can plan your lectures to include discussions, small group work, work sheets anything to let your students rest their brains just a bit. These activities plus your breaks and you should be able to keep the students engaged throughout the class session.
Gary
Hi Teresa,
I know this will really help to keep your students engaged over the duration of the lecture time frame. Let me know how this works out for you.
Gary
Too much material in is a common complaint among my students. I lecture for nearly 5 hours with very short breaks in between. To now see that their attention span is only around 18 minutes.... this is a rude awakening.
