Moving and including.
Moving about the classroom and including each student from time to time engages the student and requires them to partisipate and communicate with the instructor and each other. Asking them if they have had a similar expierience and sharing it with the class keeps them engaged and interested.
Janelle,
I agree that the movement around the classroom helps break down the barrier between the instructor & the students & makes all of us more a part of one big learning group.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I absolutely agree with Truitt. That is an excellent tactic that I had never thought of using before. I will now. In addition, I am constantly moving about the entire classroom and encouraging my students to get engaged by being extra expressive with my facial and body movements -- but not over the top, of course. I also like to make myself even more available to my students by coming down to their level as well (in a physical way) and giving them my undivided attention. When having discussions with students, I often sit down together with them (whether alone or on an individual basis) to discuss the question or go over the matter at hand. (I work with smaller groups.) I believe that this action alone helps the student feel more at ease and therefore may prompt them to be more open and more willing to participate and be involved in whatever the "goings-on" may be. I have found it to be very effective as it can quickly and easily put things on a more relaxed and personal level.
Truitt,
I really like the idea of asking them if they've had a similar experience. That engages them & invites them to participate.
Dr. Ryan Meers
