If you find that the class is becoming disengaged, it's time to look at why and change what or how you are doing it before you lose the students completely.
Hi Alexander,
Great example of a great point. We have to keep common sense and the big picture in front of us at all times. If we do we will be able to drain the swamp and make a purse out of the alligator.
Gary
When you're up to your tuchis in alligators it's hard to remember that your original intention was to drain the swamp.
Sometimes we are so focused on the monumental importance of "magneto resistive properties of the crankshaft position sensor" that we have forgotten that we just wanted the students to check for spark.
The instructor needs to maintain the big picture.
I would say that, familiarity with one's job breeds complacency. Lets work in a manner that we ensure we do not fall into the complacency trap. Taking time to "REFOCUS" ourselves in order to be more effective with our students is one way of getting out of this complacency trap.
I know I tend to fall into a rut and sometimes loose focus. Getting feedback from the students helps me get back on track and focus on the training they need.
Like with anything in life it's beneficial for us as instructors to take a "break" and refocus that way when we come back to what we were working on we have new energy! It also allows us a chance to clear our mind and be more creative by taking time to refocus.
Hi Sheila,
Yes, we do. What are some things you do to keep yourself refreshed and excited about teaching?
Thanks.
Gary
It becomes boring or uninteresting after a while and students can exhuast our minds and physical being with their personal drama they bring to the class room. WE need time to refresh and get re-focused.
Hi Quiana,
Good point and something instructors need to do to keep themselves fresh and excited about teaching their content. Their excitement will spread to the students if they are sharing content and skills that the students can see the value of acquiring and using in their career development.
Gary
Instructors should regroup to see what they are doing wrong , so that they can make it right. When doing this they have a better perspective and outlook on how to address it better.
It allows the instructor and the students to recharge their batteries. Implementing plans for refocusing can be more than occasional. Its seems that this process is a constant one for the instructor in measuring effectiveness. Since the dynamics of each class may be different, different stategies are required. As an instructor I have to be very creative in trying to create excitement that will transfer to the students. This module gave me great examples as well as some of the responses from other instructors. For example, playing games such as jeporday. Thanks.
Hi Chris,
Sounds like a lot of fun and many different ways to capture and hold the attention of your students. Thanks for sharing these ideas with us.
Gary
Try also using inanimate objects and give them little speech bubbles with the shape tool in power-point. I have a calculator who replaces S's with $. Cannons that can only speak in the word Pew. and a bandage Box who has to keep the cannons in line. Hes often depressed.
I teach game development so their is quite a few inside jokes.
What a GREAT idea! I teach medical assisting and, while some of the classes directly pertaining to learning things medical, there are also the other courses such as insurance, math and coding which are boring for the students. Keeping them motivated, interested and excited is often a challenge. I also add interesting graphics to my powerpoint presentations, but nothing that is a constant. I believe that there is a llama in my student's future! Thank you!
Hi Chris,
I love gimmicks like this. These things, even though they may seem to be silly when teaching adults really are effective in keeping the students engaged and focused. Keep your llama involved!
Gary
Students get bored. You always to have new content. Think of the amount and quality of the media. They always look for all this new stuff. They do like however to see consistency. For example I have this little cartoon Llama who appears in all of my PPT slides. He has a different hat or is holding a paint brush in his mouth. It gives consistency but adds a bit of mystery.
At the beginning of class they always ask what is the Llama going to do today?
Hi All,
What are some methods you have found that really help you with REFOCUSING and keeping your excitement high for your field and your course?
Gary
I also use the jeopardy game in my class.My students love it! I have tried a new game recently, Simon says. The students start at one end of the class, and after we draw names to see who will start, I say (ex. Jump three times) then I will ask a question, if the students gets it right they stay, if the students gets it wrong they take a step back. This is great, it gets the students up out of their seats, and involved with the course content.
In my field things are changing all the time and by refocusing I am not only being more effective for my students, but I am also keeping up with what is currently practiced in the field.
Because you have either become lazy or you have forgotten about what your roles are as a instructor. There is not job that does not require taking a step backwards, take a couple breaths and begin to move forward again.
