End of Class
What have people found helpful when the class period extends for over three hours in keeping students attention during the final hour?
Hi Jourdan,
Never underestimate the value of food in a learning environment. I use food as well at different times when I need to let the students relax a bit while eating a snack or treat. They work even harder when I call them back together because of the treat they have just had. They like rewards like that to keep them engaged.
Gary
In college i was in a class of that lasted for 3hrs and we took turns bringing a snack that we passed out at the break right before the last hr. a little bit of sugar helped pump everyone back up and rejuvenate.
I like to leave the last hour for review of material and for questions related to material asked
I agree. Keeping lecture short and precise and allowing time for some hands on activities with questions can be very helpful for keeping the students awake and attentive.
Hi Mia,
Good way to offer your students variety throughout the evening. They really need this variety as you well know as a result of being tired and it being late in the evening. Also with your method by having them involved in discussion as the class ends they are primed for the next class.
Gary
I do very similar. I teach from 6PM to 11:00 Pm and majority of my students are working adults who come to the class already tired. I usually focus on material to be covered in the first hour, take break do individual assignments, quizzes, discussions but I leave final hour for group projects and assignments that require involvements.
Hands on activities seem to help. This can be a time for reviewing the info that they have been given.
Hi Mark,
Good point about how to bring variety to your class delivery. This keeps them engaged and focused on the content rather than becoming bored with just lecture delivery.
Gary
What I do with my four hour classes is to use a combination of lecture/text/visuals in the first half (including breaks), then move to a computer lab to *activate* the project. By that I mean that in my English classes, the project is usually an essay of some variation and includes internet/library research, so hands-on work with them get them into a different learning cycle and interest id maintained.
I agree I try to complete lecture 30mins before the end in order to allow for questions and give the students a chance to put homework and lecture notes together
I had to laugh when I read your post as I teach a night class for 4 hours as well and 'we' tend to do the same thing. I want to get home and so do they so that last hour is always rough to get through...
I just try to do all I can to break up the time while we are there so they are still learning, still interacting with each other and even wanting to stay in class. I find a good mix of lectures and class projects help with this a lot..
As I have mentioned in a previous post, by mixing up instructor-centric learning with student-centric learning [aka teamwork] I am able to avoid the long slog hour after hour.
Generally I find that if this is done, and the students have been taking reasonable breaks, then the last hour divides the stayers from the go-outs. Generally about 1/3 of a class may cut out, but the remainder will stick until I come to a close.
This works even with evening classes, where the students and I are sometimes in a race at the end to see whose eyelids will shut first!
I often have them work on a group project at the end of a long class. This allows them peer interaction, and also allows me to walk around and talk to them one-on-one, and reinforce topics we have discussed. In addition, it gives the students an opportunity to ask questions they may have not been comfortable asking in front of the entire class. I make note of those questions and typically address them in the following class.
I think its always a good thing at the end of a class to do a few things.
1) ask if anyone has any questions about what was covered during the class
2) remind the students of my availablility if they need anyhelp with their assignments or subject matter
3) Remind them what to bring to the next class
4) remind them of any upcoming exams.
5) let them know what will be covered and going on in class during the next class session.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for sharing these great ideas for keeping a long class flowing and targeted on student learning. The variety of offerings really help to keep their interest. The idea of the silly story leaving them laughing as the finish class is a great way to get them wanting to come back the next time.
Gary
Good question, and one I have faced with 4 hour classes. One thing I do is let them know when a class is nearing the end so they can start mentally winding down while finding the patience not to zone out.
Another thing is that I may finish with an in-class project, video, or something else that breaks the lecture and engages them. At the very end I try to summarize the material, encourage them to contact me with any questions, and briefly mention what may be covered the following week. Last of all, especially if it's a lecture, I may tell a relevant but silly story to give them a laugh as they exit.
Hi Rob,
I teach from 4 until 10 pm which makes for a long evening for everyone. By doing mini-lectures (15-20 minutes in length) then activities I am able to keep the attention of the students. The last hour of class I do a case study where they are in groups working on possible solutions. They really like this time to interact with each other plus it is a change of pace in the class. We finish the class out by having each group report on their efforts. The time goes really fast during these sessions and all of the students are involved.
Gary
Try to play a game in which the learning can be re-inforced.
