MALCOLM,
You are providing your students with some great support materials as well as making the content applicable to them and their lives. The more you can create such connections the greater their value of the course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lori,
Small class can be tough due to peer pressure and the BFF influence. By breaking them up into learning groups you are helping them to see that they are going to have to work with everyone once they are out in the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I tend to use case studies, classroom assignments, videoes and powerpoint all in the same class to keep students engaged. my clases are from 6-10pm and most times, it's always between 2-4 students and it's hard to keep them focused. Any additional suggestions please let me know!
Using a mini-lecture with a hand-out for them to write any notes as we tackle word problems, equations, or factoring examples. Reminding students of the numerous on-line math resources available and showing them the sites breaks-up the time and uses the technology that many students are so 'good at'. ----such as www.bankrate.com to look at the amount of interest is paid on loan/mortgage
I have a very small class. I try to break them into different groups so they can work with other students,not just their BFF
Ron,
You were teaching your dive students essential skills in relation to their success and survival. By having them involved in each phase of the learning process and giving them opportunities to apply what they were learning they were able to internalize the needed content and practice the skill sets. This is what learning success should be able and will for sure keep them engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning: When I was a combat dive instructor for the Marine Corps I found that keeping the students engaged was the keep to there success in completing the course. I would keep the students engaged by bring them up to help me demonstrate on how to dress up for the dive, answer questions on the white board, and making them fill as though they are teaching the class.
Ron Giger
Natasha,
Great to hear about your plans. Looking forward to hearing positive results from you.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I appreciate all the information regarding activities and engaging the students. I to teach a 5 hr class and I will implement theses tactics. I believe with my group it will be very positive.
Lisa,
Relevancy and application are two critical elements of the learning process. The more you can get students to see and use both the greater their engagement is going to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Agreed! Variety is the spice of life and relief of boredom. But, it has to be relevant material.
Anthony,
Movement and examples are two great ways to get student attention. Your strategy in this area is right on for keeping students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Keeping content to short blocks of time, take breaks, ask questions during the lecture.
Changing the methods of teaching would be beneficial in keeping attention span of adult students. For example, using power point with photos is an ideal method of teaching. A video is another visual aid to break up lecture time.
I usually make sure that I'm walking around the classroom. I think this helps keep the student alert because they have to follow me around. I make sure that I'm always asking questions and selecting a student to answer it. I try to bring some equipment in lecture that we are discussing so they can look at the equipment and hopefully makes the class more interesting.
One of the technique that I use is to ask students questions daily and have them type their responses.
Jessica,
I have found this to be true for my classes as well. This form of instructional variety really helps in keeping the students engaged and focused on the learning elements they need to acquire.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do this as well. I find that if they can relate to a fellow classmate the material being discussed and shared is retained better. This can also open up a group discussion which breaks up the tone of the room and it engages them and they are alert and motivated about the next lecture topic.
I always like to be walking the clas while teaching, this way my students feel my presence versus standing in one spot, their eye movements keep them focused on me
Mary,
Good strategies. These strategies offer variety of delivery and well as comprehensive content. Your own professional experiences and those of guest speakers help to reinforce what is being taught and this increases student satisfaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
