Get Your Students Hired
What are some strategies for making students feel a part of the class?
I encourage students to talk to each other - not just to me. One strategy is to get them working in pairs or groups, from very early on - mixing up the the groupings of course. I have an exercise that works well for me, especially 2-3 weeks in, where I get students in pairs to interview each other and then write up the subsequent "article." Groups give feedback to the class as a whole, but what I find is even more fruitful is if I go around and talk to each pair/group while they are working. This kind of movement in the room avoids the sense of as static standard classroom too.
Candy,
This is a great way to blend direct instruction with self directed learning. I am sure your students get excited about having the opportunity to chart their learning course as they move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have allowed my students to be active in the classroom by offering choices of activities they want to participate in for the day. The class is asked what learning needs they have following a lecture, and activities are planned to meet those needs.
Group discussions after giving them a "life experience" example. Then ask what could have been done differently,etc.
James,
This is a critical part of class management. Instructors need to recognize and support student input. When they do the students will open up more and feel like they are being appreciated for what they have to say.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students will share experiences related to subject matter only if the instructor acknowledges their input. the instructor must also be careful to monitor class reaction to the student's experiences and police any sarcasm or foolhardiness from the other students.
Donna,
I am a big fan of this type of approach for involving students. This way everyone can contribute to the class without excessive stress being put on them since they are sharing in a small group setting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Good Evening…. very often students typically are not comfortable speaking in class and being that center of attention. Creating small groups allows the students to bond and create a socially acceptable environment.
Students thrive in this arena, one where they are heard and dialogue ensues, experiences are shared and in no time the groups can get bigger and the class seems to lose the fear of speaking in front of all. Therefore, this technique provides the students the ability to gain the trust of classmates as well as develop a comfort level of acceptance.
Heather,
This is good training for them to have because it increases their expertise in working with others, just as they will have to do when they are in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robert,
This is an overall good model to use because of how it engages all students. They are going to have to be in charge when they are in the workplace so the more experience they can gain the better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to break the students off into groups. With each lab assignment I rotate who the Forman will be. I find that this keeps all of the students engaged, and looking forward to their opportunity to lead. Of course it takes some of the more bashful students a bit longer to come out of their shells. I have found that by the end of the year even those students enjoy the labs.
Kellie,
Good ways to expose students to different ways to take in new information. The students get to be a part of their own learning by voting on the ways they want to learn and as a result they become more invested.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Envolving them in mixed groups is one way. I also involve them in their learning experience. I give my students opportunities to vote on some of the ways we will learn something or when we might take a test, etc. Anything I can do to keep them involved in their learning
Like everyone else posting here first class introductions are key for me. It just makes everyone feel comfortable.
Games are a great way to get students to interact and even better when I can use a game that relates the information being taught.
We use several methods in our seminars to make students active participants in class. Facilitated discussions are top on the list of methods. Through facilitated discussion I can engage students for their opinions and experience in topics. Other methods are students giving 5-30 minute individual presentations, group collaboration on topics in class, and extended group projects.
There are many ways we can make the student feel as is they are apart of the class by. Asking them what there point of view is on a certain subject and also engaging with them when lecturing.
JOHN,
Great way to make the instructional process more real for the students. You are helping them to use their own life experiences as part of the learning process as well as content. I would imagine you get some great pictures of all kinds of different heating and/or cooling systems. These pictures open the door to all kinds of discussion and learning opportunities.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.