staying focus
how do you keep students focus on a lecture that's 5 hours long.
Sean,
I teach from 4 from 10 pm so I can relate to the challenges of teaching for long session classes. The use of mini-lectures and then application activities are good ways to keep the students engaged. As for PowerPoint put the key points on the slide and then speak to them. I like you do not like a PP slide that is filled with too much text I am turned of and so are the students. So keep the short and few in number if possible.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I will be teaching a class that is four hours long. I really want to keep the class interactive but there is a lot of content to teach.
What is your suggestion on power point and how much content should they include. Do you feel like it is better to just put the highlights and lecture from that or include the detail?
I have a natural aversion to power point only because I find in the business world they are over used.
Cesia,
Too much power point and well as overloaded with content slides will cause students to drift away. Use power point slides to make key points and then have students take notes on expanding these key points. You can do a mini-lecture with the power point and then do an activity that reinforces the content that has just been covered. This way you are offering variety in the instructional process and this will keep students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
These are all great thoughts. When I lecture, I usually have a main power point (that they have a copy of and can follow) and then break to start lab. What I would like to know is what your thought is on over doing it on power point animations. I am a visual learner, but as a student I remember losing focus with too much on a power point. I know minimal animation on a power point can be boring, but what is the lesser of two evils?
FRANCES,
I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I work very hard to keep my students engaged for this length of time. To keep myself fresh and focused I look for new ways of presenting content and activities that I have not used before or a least not for a period of time. By doing this I'm not exactly sure how the activities will turn out and this keeps me on my toes. Also, I know I have to change the flow of the class on a regular basis and that helps me to keep my mind on target. Frequently I will step back and think in my mind that this is the one and only time this group of students will hear this information and that gets me to bear down even more and work hard to connect my content with this group of students. I move my students in and out of groups and to different locations in the classroom over the duration of a class session so I get their blood flowing and their limbs moving and this helps them to reset their brains so they are ready for the next phase of the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I completely agree, many different activities during a long class is essential for keeping students focused and awake!! All of these activities take a lot of preparation, how do you budget your preparation time to keep yourself focused and fresh, what methods of preparation do you use?
Rodney,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. The more you can do this the more engaged they will be. Sounds like you are doing such with your approach. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
my theory class is 2 hrs. at a time. i usually try to do different methods of teaching. demonstrative, visual, or class participation.
David,
I teach a six hour course from 4 until 10 pm so I can relate to this question. The only way you can keep them focused is through the use of a lot of different activities. Lectures, small groups, role playing, case studies, guest speakers, videos, etc. all help to keep them awake and on target. At the end of the evening I am worn out but I feel great because I know I had them with me for the duration of the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
David,
Like your approach. This use of variety in your instructional delivery is valuable in getting students engaged and focused on what is being taught as well as them learning how to apply what has just been covered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use several techniques. I will lecture no more than 20 minutes at a time with various alternative instructional methods. I will break the class into groups and assign 10 - 15 minute group activities. I will also distribute news articles on current events related to the subject matter. Finally I will usually include a short 10 minute video related to the subject matter.
