Keeping them focused
I like to break the class up. I lecture for a while, then we take a break and do some hands on. I also give them a 10 min. break halfway through to stretch and walk around. This gets the blood flowing and wakes them up a bit. Usually about halfway through a 2 hour class you can see their eyes starting to lose focus and wonder.
Hi Angela,
They need the change of pace and time to reset their thinking. These breaks and change of flow in the class helps that occur so they can come back into session ready to focus on the content once again.
Gary
also my career college also mandates a 10-15 per hour break. Sometimes this can be a good thing to help them regenerate their thought process, wake them up a little, refresh themselves. When they return to class they are rejuvenated.
I agree with the "mixing it up" approach. Students need some hands-on lab time to fully grasp the lecture portion of the subject material, even if models or props are being used. A good anectdotal story also helps keep them focused into the lecture portion and lets them see that you are human.
Mos of what I teach is more design related so they are able to work at their own paces and take breaks as they feel the need. It makes for a pretty relaxed atmosphere.
Hi Mitchell,
This approach will help to keep the students engaged because they need variety in their learning pathways. They will be more attentive during the lecture when you offer variety like this.
Gary
My career college mandates a 10 minute break each classroom hour, so that we have 50 minutes of class, 10 minutes break, etc. Even so, I see that by 20-25 minutes we need some kind of change of pace. It is a good time to tell a story, relate class to an article in the Wall Street Journal..almost anything to change the tone.
Hi Tovia,
Good examples of how to change the pace of the class so you can keep the students engaged during the entire class. I teach classes that are 3 hours long so I know what you are talking about. It is easy for the students to drift away if I don't work hard on my instructional delivery and offer variety throughout the class session.
Gary
