Participation of your students in your Lecture
How do you engage a student in your class who has no interest in even being there? I see some students who have no interest in courses and the only reason that they attend is because they are mandated by the company. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with a student like that?
Nila,
I like your last sentence in relation to how we need to approach our classes. We need to bring passion for our field to the students along with enthusiasm for teaching the content. This is a very good combination to help students be centered in their learning and career growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I've faced the same problem it's all about being insightful and creative so you can link your subject to something they enjoy. sometimes it's not that the student doesnt want to be there sometimes it's because the student is too shy. I have students that are so shy and quiet I don't even know what their voice sounds like in a class of only 12-15 students. I try to be as creative as I can with class activities and bring them out of their shell with group activities. I feel like it's our job to get the student interested in our respective subjects. We teach because we are passionate about our subjects and it's our job to envoke that same passion in our students.
Robert,
Thank you for your comments about how to engage students in a lecture. It is clear that you have had a lot of experience of giving forth maximum effort to get students involved. I am like you in that with some students it works and with others it doesn't. All you can do is your professional best. At some point in time they have to take ownership and decide how they are going to chart their future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
John,
This is a tough situation to be in as an instructor. When I have taught such courses I try to develop a personal connection between the student and myself. I ask them for their input and let them know I understand that they are forced to be there. In turn I ask them for their cooperation in the class because it is my professional obligation to provide the best instruction I can. This approach works sometimes and other times I never get through to such students. I continue to make them a part of the class and do my best so it is up to them to bring their negative attitude to class because I am going to be supportive to them no matter what.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is indeed a challenge one that I have had many times before so I feel your pain!
I have also failed about as many times that I have succeeded but I keep trying. I keep trying until it becomes evident that I am taking to much from the other students. Then a command decision must be made in order to save the majority of the students. Some just do not want to be helped!
I talk with the student during breaks and find out what they think and what they like as a person. I try to bring in examples that I know they can input some knowledge for the benefit of the other class members. This will tend to engage them.
Next, I ask them to help me in a lesson or demonstration, again trying to get them to feel ownership on the class.
I ask them questions in class that I know they can answer or have something to add (from our talks together). In any assignments given, I try to involve their interest or skills.
I just keep going until I either win or lose! that is my advice.
