Get Excited!
Students will 'zone out' or start to drift off if lessons have no life in them. Keep things fresh, postive, as exciting as possible and moving at a steady pace.
Harold,
Yes that is when learning takes a backseat to the content. Instructors need to plan their instructional delivery in a way that is engaging and keeps the focus of students but does not become a entertainment center where learning does not take place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Is there ever a point of too much excitement? Is it possible to create an environment where the excitement prohibits learning
Christy,
I use my graduates in my classes a lot for the reasons you state. They have a powerful impact on the lives of the current students because they are models of what is possible through hard work and effort. My students really get ramped up after one of my former students have been in to speak to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I get EXCITED when former students get placed in successful jobs, so I have them come back to school and share their stories. Even if they continued their education and got their degree! I found out it shows my students anything is possible....
Juanito,
All good strategies for us teachers to know. I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I can appreciate your remarks about keeping students engaged over a long period of time. Tough job but a great feeling when you have had them with you all through the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is not easy to keep the undivided attention of students for extended periods of time. This is especially true when you are in the 1 - 3 pm schedule right after the lunch break when everybody is so sleepy . Imagine giving a PHYSICS
lecture at 2 pm. This is the time to start creating some excitement in class, else you are going to be lecturing to yourself. First, you have to physically stimulate them by asking your students to stand putting their hands up then shake for a full minute. Have them do at least 4 deep inhalations and exhalations then have everybody sit down . Resume the lecture with your volume up and loud.You can even crack a joke if you want.
Rita,
Good method to use thanks for sharing it with us. There are some great ones out there. I look at a lot of secondary sites for games and then adapt them for adult use.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to use the internet to find fun engaging games that have to do with the lesson. It keeps the students interested in the topic and everyone interested.
Jessica,
This is what engagement is all about. If they are engaged they won't drift off. Instructional planning helps to excite us and help our students to focus on their knowledge and skill acquisition.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
