Mary,
By connecting the objectives to the lectures you are increasing the value the course content for the students. They can see how what they are being taught is going to help them move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Matching the objectives to the lectures will enhance effectiveness. I also try to address the different learning styles so each student feels some attention to their way of learning. I also know that preparation before the lecture is important as well as the flexibility to change things in the class to meet their needs as I assess at the time.
Nnekia,
I teach long session courses as well (4 until 10 pm) so I can relate to what you are saying. It is important to offer variety and change of pace to the students. You are doing such so you can keep their attention and increase the value of the content to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is easy to forget that adults have limited attention spans just as children do. I like to break the monotony by mixing the lecture style. I may pose a mini lesson, but implement a short case study within since the courses I teach are 2 approximately 2 hours.
Cynthia,
This is a great way to get a read on your new class of students. This information gives you the basis for the direction you take to engage them in the learning process. I am sure you are able to get a connection going with them using this approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach algebra and have a standard lesson plan for each lesson. During the first few days of class, I pay close attention to the students in my class. They are all adults, from various countries, with various math skills. I am checking to see how many are recent high school graduates, how many remember algebra, how many have no algebra skills, how many were educated in another country, etc. I am also looking for how well they work together and how receptive they were to my first few presentations. Then I make adaptations to my standard lesson plans to best meet the needs of my current class.
matthew,
Well said about the need for preparation and planning. This is what will bring success to the learning environment for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that you need to know the material like the back of your hand. You can not fumble over your material verbally because you will lose all credibility as an expert in that field. The delivery should be like fluid "when slow is smooth, smoth is fast"
I think it is very important to stay on one subject at a time then move on to next subject.
David,
Video taping one's self is a great way to see you as you really are but as you say it can be lesson on humbleness when it comes to your delivery. We all need to do this now and then because it is so easy to drop into annoying habits that we don't notice but really impact our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I found video taping my lectures to be quite effective. As I observed the video recordings. I discovered that I was effective as an instructor, entertainer, comedian and I knew the content well. However, I also discovered that I would say "OK" too many times. It was even annoying to me when I heard it, so I could imagine how my students felt. I wasn't aware how often I would say "OK". Even today I catch myself saying "OK". Therefore, the recordings made me conscience of how often I said "OK" and the recordings actually helped me become a more effective lecturer. OK?
Roberta,
You use a key word, relevance in your comments and this is the core of why you are teaching the content you are. If students can see the relevance they will be able to make application of the content which in turn leads to increased student satisfaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Relate the course objectives to the lecture, use of outlines and power points which point out information that needs to be retained. The lectures should reflect back to the relevance of the course and how this will eventually lead to the acquisition of the desired knowledge and skill.
Lacey,
Students need to personalize the content being offered. Your point is a good one in that the more we can help them relate to the content the greater the content retention there will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A good way to present effective lectures would be to remember to keep you students involved. Creating lectures that will keep the attention of your students can be difficult but it is important to remember to try and add key points that they can relate to. Having information that students can relate to will better increase the chance of them participating and remembering the knowledge they have been given.
Rochelle,
Interaction between students moves them from being passive learners to being active learners. This is so important if you are going to be able to keep their interest for the duration of class sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think interaction with the students is essential. By getting them involved I think their attention span is greater and their interests increase.After lecture, I sometimes formulate groups and have them compete in terms of answering questions. Its amazing how much they enjoy interacting with each other as well as with the instructor and demonstrate competitive spirit!
Matthew,
Got it! A smile and a shared laugh goes a long way in helping the atmosphere of a class or lab.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Seriously, a little humor. No - always be straight and stern-faced. Kidding, just a little humor. On second thought - ;)
Lorraine,
Students really like have application stories shared with them as they receive information. These stories help the students to see the relevancy of the content and you are doing this through your approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
