Engaging Students
Often I will have students leave the classroom with an assignment for the next class that includes a discussion topic. This allows them to return and engage other students in what they are interested in. At times, I will have them pick news topics that interest them and lead a discussion for fifteen minutes in the classroom. This allows them to have control as well as become familiar with a topic they pick.
David,
Once the students see that they have had experiences in their lives that can contribute to the discussion when shared they start to make the connection between the content being studied and their futures. This greatly increases the ROI of the course to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Agreed, I have noticed that students respond well by adding their experiences with the subject matter, either a positive or negative response, this only works with students that have previously worked with the subject. It does get the other students involved knowing that someone in class has already at least tried what we are talking about, good or poor results
Susan,
Thank you sharing this strategy for capturing the attention of students once they start to drift away. They need to see how their life experiences can be used in the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes I agree. Inquiring with students if their life experiences have included any of the class topics is key. They get to share and compare. We must not TALK AT the students. I have had classes that were losing interest and when I had the student talk about themselves they once again brightened up.
I try to have the topics and concepts adapted to the students own experiences in daily life. Most of the materials I teach can be used everyday
Eric,
Good way to introduce their life experiences into the learning process. This will help to keep them engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
i like to ask them ,if they have done the recipe before .At home or at work and if some say yes i ask them to share with the class before i show them my way to do it
Zane,
I like your approach. It is balanced in that it involves a wide range of students and each one of them can contribute to the learning of the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
