Mini Lectures
I agree for having mini lectures, since the attention span is short for most of the students, and also keeping students involved in discussion, and using different style of teaching such as showing videos, and giving demos, so this way they don't get bored.
Jeanette,
They really do. Mini-lectures followed with activities are a good change of pace for students. Also, as you mention the activities help them to review the subject matter that has just been covered and then make application. This greatly increases the content retention rate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mini lectures help by giving you the opportunity to stop and review subject matter just discussed to make sure students undertsood material or answer any questions before moving on.
Sara,
Have fun with the activities that you introduce between the mini-lectures. You are going to have excited and engaged students which results in a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Alyson,
I know you are going to like the results you will get from this strategy. These sessions will help to keep the students engaged as they will get content make application and then more content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Definitely something to try. I know in art history, i tend to get going and don't always realize when they've tuned out!
YES! This is a great tool, I will definitely use from now on. I will give a mini-lecture, then maybe a short review session/Q & A session- maybe a demonstration- then move on to the next topic.
I realize that when we are discussing boring topics like Histology- the subject matter all starts to sound the same- even I get bored sometimes trying to teach this!
Need to break it up a little-definitely need to put some thought into how to make some of these subjects more fun and interesting.
Summer,
Yes, they do. They keep students engaged and focused on the content because their minds don't drift off due to the duration of the lecture session. Then they can do an activity that helps them to cement the content in their minds by applying the content they have just learned.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
mini lectures work well because you can always tell when your students quit listening, because they will start talking to each other so it is best to keep the lecture short but to the point so that you get your message through to them.
Nazi,
These mini-lectures help to keep the students engaged and focused on what you are teaching. They like the change of pace and the integration of activities into the class sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
