I too agree that the "mini lectures" seem to be the most effective. I also like to engage my students by asking them what they would do if they were the instructor.
I agree that mini-lectures are much more effective than long lectures. Taking breaks to ask questions or complete an activity using the information which has just been presented allows both the students and the instructor to see what has been learned.
I really liked the idea of mini-lectures. Short lectures do take into consideration the short attention span of adult learners.
Renee
Providing the relevance of facts presented can help to keep the students interest, especially through sharing real life situations in which the material proves useful.
Plan ahead, use a variety of approaches, give breaks as scheduled, use students' examples and questions to deliver content.
I believe the most important thing is to use a variety of approaches and to make every class fun and exciting. My students never know what to expect. Discussions, role-playing, games, student presentations, practice quizzes, surprise visitors who come into the room "unexpectedly" and provide the basis for a discussion, etc.
Insert some "light moments" in the class with a real life story or a little humor. Take a break from the lesson.
Hi Seyed,
Good strategies for keeping the students engaged in the learning process. What have you found to be the most effective methods for getting all of the students to participate in the questioning sessions?
Gary
I like to write a lot on the board snd incorporate a lot of verbal questions back to the students during a class thus maintaining a dialog throughout. Also I find it useful to move around the room while lecturing forcing the students to keep their eyes and ears on you. If you stay in one place in the front of the room, it gives the students a chance to wander off the subject matter.
giving them assignments that brings extracredits for them.
Hi Seyed,
What are some ways that you encourage students to do their assignments and give them support when they need it?
Gary
encourage them to do their assignments.Give them reassurance and make the lecture interesting for them.
I actually tried that in my lecture today and it worked very well. I also noticed that my students being liked to be "in charge of their learning" so we all had a computer to work on and I had the overhead computer. It worked out really well for this group. Thanks for the idea.
Hi Karen,
Well said. You have teaching experience in an area that was based upon personal interest and presenter delivery. This gives you a great foundation from which to launch your formal teaching career. You are right about the distractions so the min-lectures are a must. The thing with mini-lectures is that you don't to disrupt you flow of delivery by taking a pause after 15-20 minutes. You only have to provide some variety such as a quick discussion, Q&A, small group, etc. Anything to let their brains relax a bit then get back at it. You are going to do a great job as an instructor with the knowledge and attitude that you have.
Gary
I am a new instructor although I have previously worked as an Interpretive Naturalist for many years. In that position, we study and practice the ability to hold peoples attention to what we are talking about as we donot have the class structure of tests, attendance, etc. to help focus a students attention and we usually don't see students over a long period of time (a quarter). I really notice that students seem to be less focused on learning at all (maybe a mini ADD syndrome). I think the act of focusing on subject matter is more difficult because of all of the distractions that exist now that did not before. Because of this, I feel that strategies like the ten minute mini-lectures are necessary...as well as many other ideas presented in this forum. Teachers are competing with so many other forces in the classroom.
I find some thing that each student is interested in - and relate the topic using an analogy to that interest - for instance - if a student is interested in music, I make a correlation of the topic to music, to the notes, instruments (since I play several instruments myself). I often ask them what they're interested in and often ask them what's new, what's happening - and when they tell me - I usually use it later in class to relate it to the topic - often acknowledging that student and his/her experience that they shared with the class and how it relates - they like being acknowledged and they like how it relates to the topic.
Hi Aaron,
I commend you on your ability to cope with circumstance beyond your control while still being effective as an instructor. Your rotational pattern is a good one. By changing the pace and having activities you are keeping the students engaged and focused on the reason they are there, learning.
Gary
To be honest, I struggle with strategies for keeping students engaged in my courses. When I first stated, I had access to a room with a computer and a flat screen or a projector. Now, I’m in a room with shared technology for which I do not always have access.
I’ve had to re-invent my lesson plans.
However, I’ve found that I’m most successful utilizing a combination of lecture, interactive lecture, and group work in which students will have to solve a puzzle and report back to class. I try to live by: 20mintues of lecture, 10-15 minutes of activity, and 10-15 minutes of follow up.
for me being a down to earth instructor, engageing, demo and talking about life experiences in my career.taking time to lisen to there experiences as well.
Hi Ariana,
This is a good method of pacing the instruction so the students can concentrate and then back away a bit and apply what they have just learned. This really helps to keep the students engaged over a longer period of time.
Gary
