Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning
What are some strategies for keeping students engaged throughout the class?
Charlene,
I think this is one of the more effective ways of teaching content like HIPPA. Application and relevancy help to sell the content and increase the value of it to the students. Good approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Edward,
I would try two approaches. One, provide the students with "guided notes" where the key concepts are listed and the students fill in the supporting information as you go through it. This way they can see what is important and will have written down the supportive content and this helps with cognitive retention. The second thing I would do is to give them problems to solve using the just delivered content. Then discuss their results. This will help them to see the application of the content because in many cases they are really sure what questions to ask about the new content because they are still internalizing it. Hope these strategies are helpful to you. If you have more questions please let me know.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
As much as possible, I try to relate the topic being taught to what the student will experience in the "real" world. For example, when I teach HIPAA I provide the students with What-if-this-happened-when-you-are-working-in-a-clinic questions: It suddenly does not just become a lesson about privacy and confidentiality, but students must think and outline how they would respond if they were physically in such a situation. I finding it very helpful to apply lessons to what the students will most likely encounter in their field.
My typical course content is very technical. I will provide a short sequence of information then ask if everyone understands what was just presented and if there are any questions. If there are questions I will go over the material again as previously and also from a different points of view and examples depending on how the question was asked and how the followon discussion is going. All to often there are no questions and an indication from the class that all is understood initially. However when I ask direct questions to particular class members when we have completed the presentation, they stumble over some of the earliest concepts which could have been handeled much easier at the time, not at tthe end. This will occur about 15 to 20% of the time.
How can I get a response from these few short of continuously calling on them. I do not want them to feel as though I am picking on them but I do need them to ask questions at the time. I have pulled them asside separately as well as addressed the class in general that I really want their input and to challenge me to justify what I have provided them.
Any ideas?
Keep the subject matter moving. Don't camp on a specific point longer than necessary. Use on topic examples of where the subject matter is used in practical life so that the students can relate to it. This can do 2 things for you; It gives them a short break from the formal presentation and provides an on topic bridge to real life that they can relate to.
I feel the tone of your voice alone helps to keep the student engaged.Having an upbeat attitude reflects to the students and makes them curious to listen and focus on what your teaching .
Some strategies that I use to keep my students engaged throughout the class are games, small groups, and occasionally guest speakers. I found that students absolutely love playing games involving the material they just learned. I noticed that small groups is effective because it puts some variety in the delivery of the course material, which helps to keep the students interested. I occasionally use quest speakers because it again gives the course some variety and the students are able to see that the material they are learning will apply in their careers. Keeping the students engaged throughout the class with different delivery options is KEY to keeping them engaged and interested in learning.
I really like this idea James. I’m looking forward to the next module at my school so I can implement this strategy. This would work great in my classes because we are together for 2 - 4 hour chunks.
That is very interesting, might try that sometime.
Depending on the course content, we can use a variety of methods to keep students engaged in learning. These include a combination of lectures, demonstrations, lab exercises (hands-on), field trips, guest speakers, case studies, problem solving exercises, Internet searches,videos,library research using books and periodicals, etc. They can work individually or as a group and then make a presentation like posterboards,reports, Powerpoints, etc.
Thanks.
I agree with this, career college students love to hear stories and "real world" experiences, they are looking to hear what it might be like for them when they get out in the workforce!
I believe in a lot of teaching flexibility. Plans guide me through my lectures but once I sense that students are "tuning me out" I resort to relating my plans to current events that they are more familiar with.
Beth,
I really like this idea. It is nice to get "hands on experience" after you have heard about a topic. Games are always fun also. Students enjoy them and forget they are learning.
Kelly
Judy,
I like games as well. They are great for reviews and team challenges.
Gary
Israel,
Right you are about excess in terms of lecture time or other instructional deliveries. Offer the students variety and they will stay engaged much longer.
Gary
I play games such as Jeopardy, Hangman, Family Feud. I use Power Point, case studies, etc. Reality-based learning is essential in the medical field.
Anything in excess is bad. We cannot repeat the same things every time neither to fill the class with to many different type of activities. Mini-lectures combined with some individual exercises, one game activity, and a small team presentation will be enough for a class of 4 to 5 hours. I think
Hands on really works with adult learners especially those who have not been in school since technology has changed. I find that they like to work in groups and the students who are stronger in the subject build the confidence of the weaker students.
I feel it is important for the instructor to be enthusiastic about the subject or content. This will help to keep the students interested in the class. In addition, allow the students to work in group activities were they can present or demonstrate content to the rest of the class. Guest speakers or individuals that are experts in the field can keep the students engaged. Instructors should always have a positive rapport with the students. This will insure that the studens will succeed.
