Fun classes
I will agree making classes fun is important to engage and retain students. My classes years ago that were fun even getting up and doing math problems on the board helped move us students around. When I was in my bachelor's degree program sitting for four hours at one time with just lecture did not retain many of us, and lecture was hard to keep most engaged.
Markita,
Great way to keep your students engaged and focused on the class topic. Unfortunately I think most of us have had such professors in our past but at least they are role models for what we don't want to do.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I remember those long and boring classes also in both bachelors and masters classes. I know firsthand how either sitting through a long lecture where the instructor just talk or read off of power point slides, therefore I try to make my classes engaging not necessarily fun. If I lecture in the first half, I will do an activity the second half or get student input.
Classes need to keep the attention of the students. Sometimes I play a game to review for quizzes and tests.
Keith,
What are some strategies you use to do this? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to keep the classes interested.
Marcellina,
It is catching as you have experienced. If you are excited and engaged they will be as well. Yes, it is OK to laugh and have fun while learning and growing in knowledge.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At times when I am more animated and excited students mimic my gestures and remember the dialogue. Being open helps them feel like it's ok to be silly and have fun while they learn.
Joseph,
I agree. Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in generating excitement among students. We need to bring both of these elements each time we step into the classroom.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that if you enjoy what you do and are passionate about the class and subject matter that you are presenting, your student will pick up on the sense of enjoyment that you have for the subject matter, making the class that much more relaxed and fun and exciting.
Dan,
Helps make the time go faster and keep the brain power focused.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree being in a fun class with a instructor making students join in keeps up the spirit and everyone awake.
I agree that an instructor needs to keep classes fun and changing,you will lose students quickly if all that is done is lecture.
Chloe,
Your field from my observation is in a state of flux at all times. Your discussion of new games coming out and other industry items helps to train your students to be on the look out for changes in your field as well as the reason for them to stay current.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to start classes off with quick discussions on industry related topics. I teach in a video game program so its normally topics on what games are coming out of which companies have bought out who etc.
Deanna,
Sorry to hear of your history when it comes to long and boring lectures. Been there and have experienced them myself. As a result we both now want to provide positive, engaging and supportive learning experiences for our students so those professors in our past have in fact been valuable to us and our students. So now we can plan our instruction to enhance the learning of our students and not let them slip away in to "boredom land".
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
