I like to infuse releveant and true examples of industry expereinces along with some comedy to keep students focused but engaged. I also think it helps to relate the course content with the real world that they are training for.
I like to give them a fluctuating pace. I ask lots of questions and greatly encourage feedback and answers from every corner of the room. I try to relate things to the field. Let them know what to expect when they get to work.
Breaking up the course time in small section helps alot. Group activities, testing, lecture, skill practice sessions, ect. are all good ways to break up the time. Just because you are in small groups doesn't mean that you have to be working on the same thing.
I think the best thing to do to keep students engaged is to use a variety of learning techniques. Use lecture, use demonstrations, hands-on skill performances, presentations from outside sources, computer based training. I believe using different methods keep students involved, and this way you are sure to touch on a learning method for most.
Moving from one task to another, getting the students to move will help keep the students engaged throughout the class time.
Martha,
Variety and change of pace really help to keep students engaged. Your use of technology helps to illustrate to students how they can use technology (cell phones)and communicate with their instructor. This is a win win for both the students and you.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By varying the delivery style in the classroom, more students will remain engaged throughout class time. Group time is very important for students to stay engaged and communicate ideas. Technology in the classroom is a tremendous aide in engaging students. Instead of banning cell phones in the class room, I like to use cell phones. Sometimes I will assess students and have them text their answers to me. Students love to use technology while they are learning.
Some of the strategies that I have used in order to keep students engaged throughout the class vary as the class time progesses. I will usally start with the lecture as the overall guideline throughout the class time.
During the lecturing, when I come across a point or an issue that bears more considerable and in depth discussion, I will either take the issue and divide the class into groups to work on the issue for a few minutes followed by a small presentation by each group leader of what their groups came up with or what they discovered, or if the issue has conflicting points of view, I will set up a small debate session with either two groups - one pro and the other con, or have individual students give their input whether for or against and the reasons why. In the middle of the debate, I play the referee or the facilitator.
It's so much fun to observe my students give their points of view and even argue their point out with another student as their fellow students are listening and chiming in when there is a point that they agree or disagee with. Sometimes if a student makes a good point, I will play devil's advocate and offer a conflicting potential situation to challenge that student's line of thinking and gauge how that student will respond or change his/her line of thinking or view.
These are some of the stratgies are utilize to keep the students focused, get them to think and to consider alternative ideas and lines of thinking to given situations or issues pertaining to the subject matter or point within the lecture. My students have given me feedback too about how they love that kind of interaction!
Afshan,
Good strategy for instructors to follow.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Bobbi,
Students like stories as you know because they help to illustrate the content they are learning. In addition, it gives them an idea of what they will encounter when they are in their career areas.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I call on specific students to make sure they are all engaged and its fun to keep them on their toes!
I also make sure we don't do the same thing for more than one session (our school gives students breaks every 50 minutes) so I try to change things up so they are engaged throughout the whole class.
LET STUDENTS SHARE THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES IN THE CLASS, IF THE SUBJECT IS RELEVENT
I have found that by using real life stories seems to do great for me. They get to hear things that can and have happened and they normaly have a few stories to share as well. Keeps everyone engaged and helps with the lecture and keeps things moving. Granted you can keep on the right track, they do tend to get off track sometimes. =]
Keeping student involved and engaged in class activities is job number one for teachers. If students aren't involved and engaged, learning is not likely to take place. I have student write every class. These "freewrites" are not graded but provide me with insight into what students are thinking about the class and the class content. I might have them respond in a five-minute freewrite to a mini-lecture or a short presentation. By writing, students are actively engaged in the learning process. Furthermore, their writing gives me more insight into their thinking process and ideas.
Mark,
Immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is an effective learning tool. Your approach is using this strategy in a way that there will be a higher retention of content by the students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I, and many of my colleagues, use the lecture then practical exercise method of instruction. Since I teach operational level military doctrine I first teach the theory (doctrine) and then I give the students a small scenario to work within to solve a planning problem using the doctrine they have just learned.
Some of the strategies I've incorporated are the following:
**use visuals to engage the students
**provide 'real-life' examples in order for
students to understand the importance of the
subject matter, and
**consistently change how I introduce each lesson
Often times, I have to continue researching on how to keep students motivated about the subject. This is definitely an on-going process--particularly because the dynamics of the students change by the semester. Therefore, my strategies must change as well.
Theresa,
I agree..up to a certain degree. It is definitely an incentive for the instructor to show a sense of compassion to the subject being taught; however, students may need a little more 'boost' (from the instructor) to be engaged in the course.
I try and keep students engaged by trying to bring real life situations into the classroom. There are a variety of ways:
- Own personal experience: stories from working in the field
- Student experience: students sometimes share scans/xrays/stories of their experiences
- casestudies: how they can apply their knowledge
-current news/research topics: either I share articles or I ask students to bring them in
-teach each other: I put the students in pairs and then they have to tell each other one or two interesting things they learned that lecture, then I go around as ask the person who received the information what their fellow student said. (great exercise in listening). Plus I am a big believer that if a student can teach an idea or concept they will retain it and have confidence in their knowledge and themselves.
Afshan,
Good strategy. Students retain content when they get to immediately use their newly acquire knowledge and skills.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
