Staying on topic
What is the best way to allow students to share experiences but not use too much of the class time?
Christina,
this is a great point. While we have a lot to say & we may have interesting stories, ultimately the purpose of the content is to help the students move their knowledge & understanding forward & we must keep this in mind.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am the same way in this regard. I remind myself that I have to stay focused and make sure that I can tie it back into the lesson so that it benefits the students.
I think staying in the confines of your outine is a safe guide to avoid this, and when I do edit in the moment it is important to let the student this is added information, or food for thought.
So for me, I have a tendancy to get excited and share all the knowledge that pertains to a top, which may be too advanced or push the lecture into complexity too soon.Also, it is easy to go on a tangent when you a particular passion for the exact topic.In an effort to curb this I try to double back and make sure I can tie it all in, or resist the temptation to teach evrything I know in one topic.
Elena,
yes, this is definitely a trick. Also, when I tell a student that we will be covering that topic later in the course, I try to tell them a specific section or unit. That way they know we really will be covering it & that I'm not just dismissing them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am my own worst enemy in the regard. I actually give the students license to get me back on topic, so we develop a two-way street. If a student gets off topic, to far, I will ask him or her to write that topic down and remind me when we come back to it at a later time. I think it is important to validate their input and experiences, and use what I can in the current context, but save what is out of place for future discussions. I will even go so far as to take a minute, go back to the lectern and make a note about the topic.
The trick for me is remembering to put it back in the course at a later date.
I have found this is one of my biggest challenges. One of the things that has seemed to help is just telling the students to be conscious of our time and now they are the ones to call any of us on it if we get too off topic. This puts the responsibility in everyone's hands and as long as it is done tactfully, no one's feelings get hurt.
I would love to hear if anyone else has tactics they have used for this.
