Paying attention to what is happening while you are teaching
I have had the pleasure of observing other instructors and it amazes me how many of them will plow through the material just to get it done. They barely look around or ask questions to see if their students have absorbed any of the information! Pay attention to the world around you…
Yes, monitors off (for everyone) is a good instruction to give at the beginning of a lecture, unless, of course, they are needed for the particular lesson.
I once sat in on computer class to brush up a little. I sat in the back and was shocked that half the class was surfing the net and not even paying any attention to the instructor's lecture. I thought it was pretty obvious, but the instructor never noticed. Had it been my class those monitors would have been turned off!
Hi Ann,
Take the learning objectives and explore how you can integrate activities that are both learning and engaging into those objectives. This way you are reaching your objectives and the students are engaged. Also, explore different ways of delivering content. These can help achieve your objectives as well as deliver content.
Gary
What are some ideas for a compromise between engaging the students and accomplishing the learning objectives in those classes that are vey heavy on content?
I have had the opposite experience. I have found that watching other instructors gives me new ideas for teaching methods and different ways to engage students.
Hi Pamela,
Great idea! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
I would suggest filming the technique, with you completing it perfectly, and using the video during a live demo, asking students to "find" any errors you make. Then use the film as a process steop while the students try the technique itself, stopping the film as needed to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Lori, I would agree. Content should not out weigh context. What you are trying to impart as part of any course may be better learned by slowing the pace and giving those examples of how real life situations at a particular job fall into the class material. Things that fit and some that don't. There may be text materials that are more important then others and letting the students participate and offer questions or other input may give an instuctor good direction.
Hi Paul,
I agree 100 percent. Learning should be fun. By having a well developed course of study instructors can keep the class focused on the content and skill acquisition while enjoy a laugh along the way. Good for the brain to relax once in a while.
Gary
That is a shame. I always try to keep moving during my lectures. I make eye contact with everyone at some point. I also find that asking silly questions (once in a great while)is a good way to keep the students engaged. For example, when discussing the boiling temperature of water, I ask the class, "Show of hands, Who here has actually seen water?" It keeps them on thiers toes and paying attention. There is nothing wrong with having a little fun in class.
Hi Bruce,
Wish I did. If I did I would be both famous and wealthy, but since I don't I will continue plugging along as a teacher enjoying what I am doing and trying to learn new ways to do things better.
Gary
Thanks Gary, I will try that. I usually find myself starting with some basic info, and filling in the dead spots while I work with the vital info. I still stop for understanding, and to make eye contact, but sometimes i really need 10 minutes to focus on my technique. This, as we know, is about the time i start to loose them. I do communicate to them, that this has to happen on some of the more complicated techniques, and that does seem to help somewhat. I was just wondering if you had a "majic bullet" i could use to solve everything!!
Hi Bruce,
Not real sure how to help you with this. The one suggestion I would offer is to concentrate on the proper technique of making pastry and then work backwards in terms of what you need to add in verbal form to support the demonstration. This way the technique will be correct and drive the instructional process and the lecture part will be value added information for the students. Let me know if this anyway helps answer your question. If not if you could share some additional information about the situation I will be glad to offer additional information.
Gary
For the first two weeks of my six week course, the material is mostly lecture. I do many comprehension checks, make eye contact, work the room etc. I think this is an easy way to engage students and keep them focused. However during the last 4 weeks, a lot of the lectures I deliver take place as I demonstrate pastry techniques. It's during this time that I struggle to be as engaging as I know I can be. My focus for the majority of the lecture/demo period needs to be on my technique so they can replicate it. If I lose focus on technique and do it poorly, they will enevitably replicate a poor technique. Any ideas on how to do everything at once??
Hi Adam,
Good point. This is why it is so important for instructors to "read" the class and make adjustments when the students start to drift away.
Gary
Wow, that's a shame... What a waste of time for the students and instructor!
A student's attention span is only 15-20 minutes tops, so if you go that long without pausing, looking around, etc., you're really not being an effective instructor.
Hi Lori,
Sad to hear about instructors that teach this way. Neither the students nor they are getting the maximum benefit from the class.
Gary
