I think the first strategy is to pay attention to what the students are doing especially in this day and age where they are dstracted by all the new electronics that are out there.
Next change your tone of voice. Theres nothing worse than a slow monotone lecture and last don't forget to laugh omce in a while.
Claire,
Good way to get student interaction going and increasing the participation of everyone. This is so important so the students will see the value of what you are teaching and how they can transfer their newly acquired knowledge and skills to their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students can engage with me, with the material and with each other. Change it up and provide a variety of opportunities for students to engage rather than to zone out.
I like to ask a lot of questions rather than just to lecture at the students. When I ask a question I expect a response and then even a discussion about the response and where it leads us.
Sometimes I put mistakes in the material on the board.
Peggy,
My students love to play games in my classes as well. I have found just as you have that interactive learning is a good motivator. In addition, my students get very competitive so they learn even more when we are playing Jeopardy for the grand prize of candy kisses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My cardiovascular ultrasound students love to play games during class. For example, when we were learning cardiac pharmacology, the class divided into teams and had to separate the list of drugs into their respective categories; i.e., beta blockers, ace inhibitors, etc. The students really seemed to learn much better using the interactive teaching style.
Linda,
You are going to like the results you get with these methods. Students like variety and change of pace in the learning process. You method is going to provide both to the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with this method of having the students interact with the Instructor and the other students to keep everyone engaged. I would incorporate activities that require moving around the room at intervals, not breaks to keep focused and attentive to the course content.
With an online class, it's hard to know if the students are doing what is required. I will, therefore, every few minutes call on students to answer questions. If they don't answer when I call on them, they are kicked out of the session. They soon realize they need to pay attention and do what is asked even though we aren't physically in the same classroom. I also stress upon them the more they do in class, the more free time they'll have for everyday life and won't have to play catch-up.
Mr.Coronado i agree with you , its very important to keep the class involved , when this happens learnning happens. Students enjoy getting involved and can aslo contribute in ways that sometimes instructors can't .
Erica,
Way to go in getting the blood flowing and the muscles stretched. Then they are ready for the content section of the class and application of what they are learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach massage so i get them to do moevement and stretching in the beginning of each class. It not only gives them energy but einforces the imprtance of the MT maintainng their own health in their profession.
Chris,
Right you are. We need to move the students from being passive learners to active learners.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Have the students participate, if they are answering questions and being involved it makes them part of the class not just an onlooker.
Toni,
This is how the majority of students become engaged. They like to hear and then apply their newly acquired knowledge.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Our industry is very much hands on, so students are engaged by having a short lecture followed by a demonstration and then having time to practice and ask questions while they are working.
Rod,
Both of your points are good ones. Yes, we need to keep them engaged through the introduction of activities. They let the students make application of the content that has just been covered. As for the adult learners I really like having them in class for the reason you state. They are such a valuable asset.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We try to keep all of our students constantly engaged in lecture by intermixing activites at least once per hour for a four hour class. It is important to get the students up an moving around and engaged with other students, not just with the instructor. Adult learners bring just as much to the table as the instructor does in some cases.
Jason,
Positive feedback is a powerful motivator and as you say should be used appropriately. When done so then the confidence levels of the students will increase and everyone will benefit from the feedback given.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In appropriate amounts, honest praise and encouragement means so much to students. Those that succeed at their task like their success to be acknowledged with a positive phrase such as "Good Job" or "You've got it!" Those that don't necessarily get it 100% the first time like to hear honest encouragement like "You're on the right path" or "Getting closer, you'll have it in no time!" It builds confidence which will help with their improvement.
Katherine,
Good way to offer variety and change of pace in your instructional delivery. You are keeping their minds engaged as you move the course forward in addition to being able to check for understanding as you go.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
