Hi Jennifer,
Good variety of instructional delivery options. Your comments cover the key elements of learning for maximum student retention.
Gary
Hi Richard,
Students really like to hear stories from their instructors about what they did in their previous career. Your sharing these stories help to make it real for the students so keep sharing.
Gary
In order to be effective and keep the student's attention when lecturing we must provide many learning styles. Incorporate powerpoint slides that have vibrant colors and maybe a brief video that will keep those who visual learners attention. Provide time within your lesson plan to bring in music that may relates to the topic. Creating exercises, games, or group activities will also keep the student's attention. If all fails change the atmosphere, begin to demostrate or become more creative.
One of the ways i try to make my lectures more effective is to add personal experiences that relate to the topic at hand in order to make the content more relevant and also keep the students focused and engaged.
Getting them involved in the class. I find that if they are involved whether it is hands on or bring a real life situation to their attention it comes across to the students better. I have also found that my students are more visual learners so I try to incorporate videos or certain visual statistics that I know will grab their attention.
By relating ther material to current events.
By understanding the students point of view on the topics and basing the lecture by various methods and skills to meet the student requirements .
Hi James,
I agree as well. You need to do all you can do to bring the students into the learning process. The more they see themselves in the instructional process the more engaged they will be. You are right on with your planning.
Gary
I believe the instructor should be an active engager of the student and excite them with information that will help them know they have made a good choice for the future.
Hi Lisa,
Two things that make learning effective. Application and relevancy. You are offering your students the opportunity to apply both of these as you bring in the real life experiences and examples of what you did when you were in the field.
Gary
I try to make the lectures more effective for students by correlating real life experiences with what we are learning, supplying supplemental material, and allowing students to add to the conversation with their real life experience(s).
I think you have to make the lectures exciting by adding different content, like videos or group projects on the topics you are teaching.
Hi Michael,
Great way to change the pace of the class while keeping the students focused on the content. Human brains like change but also like routine. As educators we need to create a routine for students within the class while offering change of pace in our instructional delivery. By doing both we will keep learning progressing throughout each class.
Gary
I also encourage students to utilize their real life experiences. Being an online instructor, most of my interface with students is by the use of discussion boards and e-mails. I encourage the students discussions to have them use personal experiences in their discussion. During the discussion threads the students assumptions are challenged and this promotes an enhanced learning experience.
I have found that by breaking my lecture material into 2 or more sections in a given class period helps the students comprehend better. I start out with an introduction to the material and provide two or three points. I then have the students perform an exercise that focuses them to utilize the material I have covered. Once we review the exercise, I continue with my lecture followed by a second exercise. Before the conclusion of the class time, I assigned them activities to be completed before next class that cover lecture material.
Hi Mary,
Student like variety in their delivery of content and you are providing that for them. This is a great way to keep them focused and engaged.
Gary
I like to lecture and use visual aids as well as life experiences. This seems to hold the student's attention.
Hi Tiffany,
I agree with you about the mini lectures and mini cases. The students really become involved in the learning component and then like to apply what they have learned through the mini cases. This helps them with application and relevancy.
Gary
Because student learn and instructors deliver in many ways, courses have to be made relevant. Lectures should consider the student 4 learning style (visual, auditory, written words, etc.) and lectures can be: expository, interactive, problem solving, case study, powerpoints, summary sheets, transparencies, or a combination.
I agree that mini lectures and mini cases are best for grabbing attention on content.
Tiffany
Hi Sadie,
What do you think are the most effective ways of relating to the lives of your students? How to you connect with them and establish rapport?
Thank you for your input on this. I know it will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
