I find the most effective method of engagement is to present the concept being discussed in a mini lecture, then present a problem solving activity introduced by video, case study, or local news story and require them to problem solve as small groups. Then present their findings to the large group. This is for Criminal Justice classes. I find it effective because they need to take presented concepts then apply them to real world, real life problems
I am a firm believer in Kolb's Circle so I try to vary my instruction methods as much as possible without becoming a distraction. I use the lecture/Socratic method most of all, but demonstrations, role playing and problem solving work well also.
I like the use of smaller lectures combined with hands-on learning. In this way the students get to practice or use what they learned immediately. It helps for retention and also for maintaining their focus on the course content. I also found that timing breaks effectively with the structure of the course is important as it keeps the students fresh and awake. For me this is important and a challenge, because I teach a 4 hour evening class. Which is a long time to keep their attention on complex content.
Hi Josh,
Way to go in helping to make a more passive learning format more active by including students when you can. This helps to motivate them to get ready for the 2nd module where they do get to get their hands messy and use some of their newly acquired knowledge.
Gary
I teach the first module at a culinary school that is entirley lecture and demo. It is particulary challenging to keep students engaged because they want to get their hands dirty, but don`t have much in the way of hands on until the second module. I find that when I include students in the demo whenever possible they jump at the opportunity to volunteer. Of course humor always helps too.
Consistent observation and physical interaction (cutting, tasting, finishing, etc.) with our students will build a rapport that will carry on throughout the block. This will set a relationship where the student will understand the instructor’s expectations clearly and there will be a progression in their development of preparation technique. Simply verbally reminding by saying useless phrases like, “I already told you how” or, “we talked about this” holds no weight when it comes to learning physical technique. The instructor must talk about it, show the student, have them taste it, review it and then have the student do it themselves.
Hi Anna,
You are right on with your delivery of instruction. I teach a 6 hour course that starts at 4 and runs to 10. I have to have a lot of activities to keep the students engaged between the mini-lectures. These activities involved small groups, discussions, projects, case studies and anything else I can think of to keep the class moving forward. A challenge but at the end of the night it is well work the effort when I see the progress the students have made.
Gary
The mini lectures are a good suggestion as this course talked about earlier. Knowing that the normal attention span isn't very long makes it difficult to teach a 3 hour class. I like to use a variety of teaching methods to keep the students stimulated and involved in class. Taking breaks and making them get up and move around is also helpful. I have found that a change of pace every so often helps the students stay engaged and not zone out during lecture.
MINI LECTURES IS VERY IMPORTANT METHOD TO KEEP THE STUDENTS ENGAGED THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE ATTENTION SPAN FOR THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS IS 15-18 MIN AFTER THIS TIME THEY DO NOT PAY ATTENTION,MAKING A LINK BETWEEN THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL PART WILL KEEP THEM ENGAGED ALL THE TIME.
Mini lectures, tots and fritters. If you bring them protein shakes and foot-massages, well.
I train students to write songs and produce hit records. The successful methods of this process are far from standardized. What most students are learning is a modular process, that is, many different options lead to many different options. They don't have to be Brian Wilson with the many options of software to build amazing compositions, but if they become consumed by options, they never finish. What I teach them is that like any good song, what they carry away from the course is a unique experience, individualized for them.
One strategy of keeping students engaged is to vary the approach on the delivery of content, ie using various lecturing styles. For example, in teaching accounting I frequently lecture on the principle involved, them give an example and then let the students work on a related problem in class and then review.
Hi Alan,
You are right with your comments about keeping the lectures in a time frame that allows the students to get the information but doesn't let them drift off. Students like variety and by changing the pace of the class you are giving them opportunities to stay engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Activities, discussions and movement are my best strategies. Teaching night classes this is now my mantra, the students are tried from working all day. I have established "the brown bag dinner/lunch during class study discussion"; this allows the students to review their weekly case studies and fuel-up before the majpr class discussion.
I agree with the mini-lectures procedure as well. Some of our powerpoints are way too long. It just puts students to sleep. Some of them need to be revamped, shortened or broken up into 10-15 minute sections. And have each mini-lecture followed by a short demonstration or walk out to the lab to show them in person.
Hi Desiree,
Good strategy plus the more we can make learning fun the more learning that will occur.
Gary
I like when the students can teach back to the rest of the class. I had a class where I had the students create a rap based of the principles they had learned the week before and present it to the class. I was amazed at what the students came up with! I think they amazed themselves! The all said that the theories they worked on in the group for the rap song, and putting the theories to music, were actually the theories they remembered the most. Bottom line, they had fun learning.
Some strategies for keeping students engaged throughout class are having mini- sessions throughout class, which is probably one of my favorite, showing a short video to break up lecture and bring another learning style to your class, and breaking up lecture by handing out a short group project to engauge students with each other.
I think it good to engage with the student's with the lecture maybe they have some life experiece's they could relate to the lecture.
I agree, also break the student's into smaller groups after the lecture having them use discuss the material and present it to the class in their own words to see whether they capture the meaning of the lecture
Hi Luis,
The more senses you can incorporate into your teaching the higher the content retention will be. Through your use of auditory and visualization techniques your students are getting different perspectives in terms of how they internalize the content.
Gary
