In the laboratory, I put them into groups. I walk around the lab and join each individual group and do the experiment along with them for a while. This helps them stay engaged and makes them feel that they are on the right track since I periodically check their equipment set-up and observations.
PARTICIPATION!!!!!!!!!!! I try to get them out of their seats as much as possible. Some of the activities I invlove them in are:
write on board
chart on overheads
present material to the rest of the class
conduct test reviews
I find that this keeps them energized and involved. Sitting ALL the time leads to "mind wandering" and lethargy.
The best lectures are those in which the material is presented in a relaxed environment. Humor, stories, question and answer periods keep students engaged and thinking.
short discussions and questioning keeps the students engaged in discussion.
Asking students a question is one strategies for keeping students engaged in learning.
In order to ensure that all students are engaged, it is important that teachers plan all activities to last roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Videos, lectures, group work, hand on activities, and case problems should not last longer than this, otherwise students will lose interest.
It is also imperative that teacher vary their instruction to meet the needs of all students. It is unfair to students to simply teach to our strengths.
Hi Jill,
This is a good point. This is why good planning and organization is critical for student engagement. If they can see the connection between application and relevancy then they will stay engaged.
Gary
This is a difficult thing to accomplish. Keeping students engaged requires creativity, challenging new assignments. Also the instructors lectures and demonstrations need to relate to the work of the students.
interaction
power point
visual
stop the class and do hands on
real life scenarions
Asking questions throughout the lecture helps to maintain students attention. Asking for feedback or their opinions to keep them engaged.
Hi Cathleen,
I can only imagine the different kinds of drawings you get from your students. Sounds like a great way to engage students while having some fun as well.
Gary
My favorite way to keep students engaged in what I am talking about is to verbally interact with them. Addressing them as a group or as an individual seems to perk them up. Also, I will ask a student (one at a time) to walk up to the whiteboard and draw what I am trying to help them remember. For example, I have a lecture on what the 'Big Eight' food allergies are that we are most concerned about in a restaurant. I give the marker to a student and when they are right in front of the whiteboard, I ask him/her to draw one of the allergies. They can't wiggle out of it because they are standing in front of the class! It becomes really entertaining for all of us.
Hi Jay,
This is a great way to help the students retain new information and skills. The hear, teach and review that they are doing as pairs greatly increases their knowledge retention. Great job.
Gary
After introducing a new concept I ask the students to pair up. I give them a few minutes to teach their partner whatever we just covered (as if their partner were new to the concept). Then they trade roles. This way they are exposed to the info twice as a learner, and once as the teacher!
An easy way to keep students engaged is to vary your teaching style. You can switch the sytle every 15 minutes to really keep their attention.
-Ask for their personal experiences as they relate to the subject matter, and have them share with the class.
-Share interesting or funny stories that bring the ideas you are trying to communicate to a real life level.
-Have the students complete some sort of handout or exercise during breaks in lecture. This gives them something to do and keeps them much more involved in the lesson.
-Break up lectures with group or collaborative activities that tie into the subject matter and reinforce learning.
Hi Curtis,
The key is variety and varying of the flow. By using the different delivery methods you listed are are doing that in a way that keeps the class moving forward and students learning.
Gary
I couldn't agree more. Mini-lectures are very hard to schedule in, especially when course materials are preestablished and only limited time is available. I find that a combination of lecture, asking questions, giving practical examples, occasionally throwing in both humor and intense thought provocation, and answering questions all break up the class enough to keep the students interested and engaged.
Hi Michael,
You raise a good point about how hard mini-lectures are to do and keep the class flowing. Your last sentence is the key. You don't have to stop the lecture but vary the instructional methods just as you say. Students seek and need variety so by changing the pace and delivery you are giving the needed breaks in instructional flow and then you can go back to the content delivery format.
Gary
I love the idea of the mini-lecture, but it is so hard to trim some lessons into 15-18 minutes bytes in a fast moving schedule... do find they stay more engaged when I do vary up the intructional methods- i.e. q & a, lecture, video, in-class exercise, discussion... just shrinking that lecture is so tough...
