I would give a mini lecture on how to correctly code for a problem and then have the students code three examples. Once the student has achieved the correct answers I would move on to the next problem to be addressed.
I tend not to make my lectures up ahead of time. I review the material before class, then see who is in class. I discuss the material in reference to the students in class. I like to include the students who are in the room in my lecture. I feel that this connects the student to the lecture in a way nothing else can.
I use case studies and group discussions also. If the text does not have any, I make my own and invent my own topics which apply to the chapter info. I try to begin each class with a current topic from the News and we discuss any legal/ethical issues that are involved I,also, try to provide my own legal experience and knowledge to illustrate, in common sense language, the sometimes complex chapter concepts. I am new to PowerPoint, but have developed some and this provides educational assistance for them and they enjoy it. Make learning fun.
Christopher,
I teach a night course that starts at 7 and I have the same challenge. The students are tired after working all day and have their stomachs full. They want to curl up in their seats and be left alone to sleep, but still pass the course. So I have to pull out all the stops and make the class interesting and engaging while keeping their attention focus on their passing the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Most of my students come to class after three prior classes and a lunch break which obviously called for a big luch that, unfortunately, needed to digest in my class. When I notice an increasing number of sleeping students I start to direct questions randomely to individuals and get them to write answers on the board. My classes have more frequent breaks and require students to stand up and take a 5 minute walk for "blood to flow".
Molly,
I use Q&A sessions where I give students questions to respond to after the mini-lecture, role playing, case studies and small group discussions. All of these strategies help the students use their newly acquire knowledge.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
What are some examples of activities between mini lectures?
I think this is a great idea to break up the lecture. I am definitely going to implement this in my own classes as I also teach at night!
I use colorful visual aid along with lectures to make them more effectives.
Ardiana,
Good point. Mini-lectures require careful planning in order to keep the content flowing and the class progressing. The activities between the mini-lectures reinforce the content that has just been shared and helps the students to remember the critical concepts that are needed in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Elizabeth,
I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I know what you are talking about when it comes to the students wearing down. If we don't change the pace and flow of content delivery we will lose them completely. This is why teaching in the evening is so much fun because I am always looking for ways to get the students engaged and focused on what we are doing and a result we get to do some really creative things in class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree with the mini lectures because the whole class is focused. However when is a lot of material to be covered is very difficult to keep the mini lectures going.
I love the idea of mini lectures; especially in my evening class I can see attention wavering around 9pm. Starting a new topic of a new way of reviewing a topic would be great to perk up flagging energy levels. Since we have 4 hour blocks I can see a lecture block followed by and activity then repeat.
Anton,
Glad you like the idea and hope you can jot down some great new ideas for improved and expanded instruction.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Yes this is a great way. I also make up my own questions and have the students find the answers
I think that to energize my lectures I will have exercizes which will include discussions with the students.I will try to include every day life topics which will make the students reflect
and interact and I think that including a Q&A
portion should keep the students actively angaged.
One valuable tool this course provided me was the information that the adult attention span is approx. 15 to 18 minutes long. I will use this information to vary lecture presentation methods to break up the time spent in class to include interaction, discussion, hands-on or other delivery methods in order to accomodate the supprisingly brief attention span. I certainly hope to see the students knowledge retention increase from this method and am eager to put it into action.
Dr. Meers, I really like the idea of using a notepad to write down the things that you noticed durring a class in order to improve upon the lecture, lab, etc for the next time, and also to write down other things that tend to be forgotten such as questions from students that should be verified before answering, necessary supplies or other reminders, and even student issues, then reviewing these notes after the class. I know that I certainly cannot remember everything I think of durring a class, and I plan to bring a notepad with me to my next class just for this purpose.
I would focus on the different learning styles of my students. I feel that if we pay attention to how our students learn and focus on preparing and delivering the information to them in that way it would have a positive effect on our students. We can't always do what is easy and convenient for us, occasionally we have to move out of our comfort zone like we expect the students to do.
Making sure that I know my material before I enter the room. I always go over my chapters before that class and also will do the assignments that I am giving my students before entering class for the day so I can give proper instruction for the day.
