I have always tried to incorporate "stories" that drive home a point, or I attempt to "paint" a picture of what we are talking about. I have found that visualization allows students to focus and become much more engaged in the discussion.
In my online classes, I keep students engaged by personalizing the instruction. I start by asking the students to tell me about their online learning experience so that I can understand how effective they have been in the online environment. Then, I adapt my communication to meet the student's needs. I email students who are not active, and provide extended feedback and phone support for those who seem to be stuggling with concepts or assignments.
One way is to ask the students which ways are most effective for learning and then try to implement those methods in the lectures/lessons.
Hi Glenna,
Good point about relevancy. The students have to see the relevancy of what they are studying or they are going to lose interest very quickly. The other word I use a lot is application. I want the students to make immediate use of newly acquired knowledge. This is what application is all about and it really helps to keep the students motivated.
Gary
First, discuss the relevancy of the class. If it is not relevant, forget about it; you will never get the students engaged. If that does not work, many times subsequent activities engage the students, and it sparks their interest. Small group work can also help engage students who are reluctant. Explanations of why this is important, meaningful activities, and a spirit of fun can go a long way.
Relaxing the brain is a good point. I have my students do presentations to teach each other and demonstrate creative options implemented in doing the projects.
I will try this outline of my mini lectures. I also use chapter Power Points. This outline would work well for this as well. Key words and concepts serves as a good take home and review for the student.
I use mini-lectures often. I deliver a concept or theory then I will either ask students questions and have a quality student teacher rapport. When I relate the topic with the students lives it simulates a great learning environment; it gives meaning and brings the concept or theoryto life.
I am a lab instructor, and I find that having a varietym if hands on materials, visual aids, as well as indiviual contact, helps to keep the student engaged in learning.
I will have to give this a try in the next semester. Sounds like a good idea.
Hi Joanne,
In the large classes I use structured outlines to keep the students engaged. They follow the outlines while I am lecturing and then we discuss the points that have been highlighted on the outlines. I lecture for 15-20 minutes have a discussion and then repeat the format. I give the students the outlines for each class session so they know exactly what we are going to cover and what I consider the key points to be.
Gary
Gary
I liked the idea of breaking the class up into mini-lectures and other activities and mixing up short lectures and other learning activities keeps the class more alert and engaged.
Dennis
Any suggestions on how to keep a class of 58 students engaged? There is not enough time for Q&A, role play,or discussion. There is barely enough time to present the content.
Hi Alan,
I like your different ideas about how to engage students in the learning process. I am a big fan of situational problem solving. You certainly gave your students some tough problems to consider so when they came up with conclusions you know that have worked hard to get to the solutions they came to.
Gary
We know that each student learning style differs, we as instructors must find ways to keep out students interested in what we are trying to teach them, therefore using many different methods of presenting materials will be more benificial to the students.
Shifting between group activities, lecture, and short videos on the subject
Jeffrey - I concur. My favorite thing to do is make it clear that I begin my questioning on the back row and move forward from there. Ironically, people who want to hide still sit on the back row, but they cannot escape engagement.
I've used several strategies for keeping students engaged in learning. My favorite, with the best anecdotes has been role playing scenarios that go on for several weeks of the course. In one case, I assigned all the students in the course to positions as finance ministers for both developed and underdeveloped nations. Then I would have them hash out policies and economic analysis from the respective lens.
A problem in particular with interesting results: I assigned the students to consider whether or not they would recommend legalizing the purchase and sell of human organs. They came back with consensus against. The next week I assigned them the following, 'you've returned from the conference and the 'president' of your country has informed you that your country is going to 'buy or sell' human organs. You are responsible to write up a paper explaining the economic considerations of this decision.'
I had one "A" student solve the problem by indicating that she would assassinate the game master.
Hi Julie,
You are right about how the breaking up of the instructional delivery process helps to keep the students engaged. They like variety and interaction with each other as you can see.
Gary
As far as hands on activities, in my short time of teaching, I have noticed that breaking the students up into smaller groups and having them help and ineract with each other seems to hold their attention longer than having a large group all at once.
