Hi!! Doug Allen here.
I teach a basic English class. My students spend 25 minutes per class doing reflective writing. This gives them the chance to get practice organizing their thoughts and expressing their opinions on a variety of topics. Sometiems the topic generates class discussion and students are glad to see that what they think really matters. Many of the students I have often have a history of being told the opposite, By exploring their thoughts and sharing them with me, they become a more cohesive unit. They see value in their contributions.
Asking questions to student to engage them.
Have them read some text to class.
Have them draw on white board items that are about subject
I ENCOURAGE THEM TO WORK TOGETHER AND HELP EACH OTHER DURING LAB TIME, IT SHOWS INTEREST AND CARING FOR EACH OTHER
One of the things that I do in every class is to rework my case studies to be related to the majority of the experience of the students. So, in the first session I ask the students about the industries that they have worked at (or their parents). Reaching out to these experiences taught them more, and gave the other students an idea how to relate to a real business.
Monty Zaki
I have a tendency to not only make class members work as small groups, but to change the constitution of those groups. I identify with them at the beginning of my class that small group participation is key to their success. By forcing them to work together, they develop some attachments that seem to make them more open to classroom participation as well.
Melissa,
Good idea. Thanks for sharing it with us. I am sure this helps to build the confidence of the students as well as they talk with colleagues.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Rudayna,
I like your goal of creating a supportive and comfortable learning environment for your students. If they feed that they are respected and have something to contribute to the course they will be engaged at a much higher level.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find study groups to be effective also. I usually alotted approximately 20 mins before an exam for students to work together if they need to. very effective
- Get students involved in classroom discussion.
-Acknowledge the student
-Respect the student opinion
I often have different activities in class and I encourage all students to participate. I also encourage class discussions and if I notice a person sitting there kind of afraid to comment I call on them and ask for their input. I want my students to feel as comforatble as possible. I want them to feel like the class is their home away from home.
Caryn,
Good for you. The more you can bring in their life experiences the more engaged they are going to be. In addition, they grow in confidence because they feel they have something to contribute to the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I encourage my students to talk about their experiences in the work force and how those experienceds relate to their college career and new goals.
I always encourage student to help eachother.
I invite student to share their experiences, in the area of discussion. It not only makes them feel more part of the class, but lets other students ask questions and so on.
Cheryl Tollefson
I like to give a lot of group assignments. I will put people together in groups that they would not normally pick. I explain to them that you do not always get to pick who you work with, and you need to learn how to work with all types of people and personalities.
Robert,
Great idea. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know it will be valuable to other instructors as well.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I like to use small groups quite a bit and encourage students to interact with each other. Then I try to include discussion so students can contribute to the relevancy of the material we are covering.
I've started implementing the policy of taking student picture ID's on the first night. I put these pictures in a cohort folder on a department shared drive for my staff to see and memorize names - it work's rather quickly! Students are quite impressed that we know their names so quick and feel like they are engaged and part of the program early on.
I often start a new class with an emphasis on it being 'their' class. I encourage feedback and constructive criticism on teaching methods and topics that they find effective or not. I offer moments for students to voice any comments or feedback and listen respectively to those comments so that other students feel comfortable in making similar contributions. I keep the discussion at more of a comfortable conversation which takes out the threat of voicing one's opinion.
That's quite an exciting learning environment! Hard to fall asleep there, lest one drown in the soup. :)
