Sylinda,
The more examples and applications you can make with real world experiences the more value students associate with the content being offered. This is such a good strategy to use.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When lecturing, I use several real world experiences so that I can get the attention of my students. I use examples and I also allow my students to give examples once I am done lecturing.
Christy,
I agree. The more interaction the greater the retention of the content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe the best way for my students during lectures is have them interact during the lecture. I have them help me demonstrate certain areas of the lecture.
Encouraging classroom participation, asking open ended questions, using audio and various social media will facilitate in the various learning styles of each student.
Patricia,
Good strategy. The students need to see that you "own" the classroom, which means that you roam all over the classroom and interact with them. This lets them know that no matter where they sit they will be expected to participate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Move around the classroom. This helps students to focus and keeps them awake too. Knowing each student by name and calling for everyone to participate makes them feel involved. Throw in some humor every so often makes for a fun learning environment.
Taking time to prepare content of lecture time. Finding connections to topics with real life experiences and potential situations the student might face brings the topic alive. Engaging the students with questions that spark their thought processes about the topic and helping them imagine what they might do in that situation or consider how they might be feeling within the situation of topic.
John,
Right you are. You cannot have too much preparation when it comes to instructional planning. All of this effort really pays off when you conclude a class and you know you have really reached your students and they "got it".
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Preparation, Preparation and more Preparation I feel are crucial in providing effective lectures. As an instructor, I spend time before each class reviewing the material again and again to ensure I am ready to perform at my best. As an instructor, I am always learning and trying to find way to improve in my delivery. I also feel that instructors should try and observe instructors in their field and especially out of their field to experience diffening methods and ideas. I always feel that I learn and benefit when I observe a colleague in how they present the material to their class. While practice may not always make perfect, it definately improves performance.
Sarah,
Students as you have learned really perk up when their instructor tells a story from the field. These stories capture their interest and increases the value of the course content because they show students how the apply the content that is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For me, personal experience has helped me understand a topic or subject. So if I am able to present a lecture along with personal stories, I believe, this will help my lectures be more effective.
Brandon,
Good tips for instructors to follow. There has to be a plan for each class session. If there isn't then the class can go off the rails quickly and the result will be unhappy students and minimum learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Be on time with the lecture
Have the lecture made out in a timely manner
Have activities alone with the lecture
Follow the outline and objectives
It is nothing like being disorganized and not following the path the student are following. The disturbance of the lecture can have the students daydreaming and not focusing on the topic needed for that test. Allow the lectures to flow in a normal pattern and all students understand that pattern for success in that class.
Andrew,
This really gets them involved and excited about what they are learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Do the Demo's with the student allowing them to do it along side the Instructor.
Cindi,
Sounds like a good instructional format to follow. You are having success with this blended approach so your students are going to benefit from being in your class at a much higher rate of content retention.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to assess new and different venues to facilitate a well rounded learning experience. This also is allowing for the many different types of learning styles that the students have along with the multitude of experiences necessary to complete their education. So I have found that textbook lecture along with practical experience has afforded my students a well rounded education.
Karen,
Change of pace and variety helps to engage learners and you are doing that by getting them up and moving around plus concentrating on the review of material just covered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am generally prepared for class that morning as I have studied the material the day before. If I see the students getting sleepy - I get them up and walk them around the room while reviewing the lecture I was working on. This seems to give them a extra push to finish.
