Mini lectures
My lectures are two hours long with two mandated 10 minute breaks. How are mini lectures incorporated into this time span?
Hector,
Students like variety and change of pace. With the 15-18 minute span and then a Q&A session or learning group activity you will be able to keep the students engaged and focused for the duration of the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
These lecture can have a question and answer time too? The max time to give lecture I thought was 15 to 18 minute?
I agree mini lectures allow more Q&A. They feel more engaging.
Amos,
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear that some of the comments are being of help to you. Keep in mind that mini-lectures can be delivered and then have some type of change of pace that doesn't disrupt the flow of the class. So introduce questioning, a case study, etc. after a mini-lecture for a few minutes and then do another mini-lecture. This way the students will be able to keep their focus throughout the class session.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
HI Dr. Meers, hope all is well. I'm well into teaching now. I still trying to see how to incorprate min lectures in my outline. But after reading some of the replys I'll try some of their methods.
Murielle,
I think you are going to really like the results you get with this strategy. Let me know how it works for you.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am going to pay attention to this idea, I feel my students will in fact retain more. Next time I meet with my students, I will break my lecture with regular questions and answers sessions and possibly integrate more hands on exercises to keep my students alert.
Vida,
Students learn better with variety and change of pace. You are using both strategies with your method and I appreciate you sharing the results you are having. This model is going to result in a higher level of engaged students throughout the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I use to lecture nonstop and found that my students were not retaining the information. I began breaking my lectures up into 25minutes with a summary at the end of a couple of key points and added a Q&A. I noticed they were retaining much more and were more involved. I also began having them complete lectures by breaking a large class into groups and having them answer questions to a couple of key questions and present what they learned to the class and I would summarize with additional information at the end of each groups presentation. Students enjoy hearing their classmates.
This has worked very well for me, it also allows me to see how students are interpreting the information they are learning.
Vida
David,
Mini-lectures could be 15-20 minutes covering a key concept. Once covered you could do a 5 minute Q&A session, a case study, etc.. Then back to another mini-lecture followed by another activity. The key is the change of pace and flow of the class so the students can catch their breath and refocus (reset their brains). The standard breaks would still be taken as planned.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
