Getting students interested
On occasion, I have difficulty in keeping students involved and interested in the topic being discussed. I often find that I end up craking jokes and telling personal stories and getting students to contribute their own stories as well. I often bring in games such as jeopardy to engage the students with the content material. I find that playing games with the material where student not only answer questions but create the questions themselves, help them in retaining the information. Many of my students ask me at the beginning of each class which game we will be playing that day. When I started getting this question on a daily basis, I soon realized that I was relying too much on them for engaging students. All in all, games, jokes, and personal stories, I feel, are a great way to help engage students and keep them interested in the course content.
I find that students love to hear about real life experiences in our field. Since I have forty years of experience, I have lots of stories. This type of intereactions also creates a stronger bond between teacher and student. These activities allow the students to see how to reach their goals.
Hello Gabrielle,
Jeopardy is a super game for reviewing! It is fun and students enjoy it!
Patricia
I agree! I often use jeopardy to review for the midterm and final exams. It forces students to participate, and creates a fun learning environment. I also find that sharing personal experiences with students keeps them interested in the course content.
Hi Carla,
You are right! Students are so interested whenever you share your experiences with them being in the role that they will be in.
Patricia
I teach medical assisting courses and I have learned that students LOVE to hear stories about "real world" experiences from when I worked as a full-time CMA. Often times a story will encourage students to ask several questions that lead to great discussions. Other times, it seems to serve as a motivator for them to see themselves out working in the field.
H Penny,
Students tend to enjoy field trips, and they get to see how things really are in the real world.
Patricia
I use excursions/field trips to engage my Fashion Merchandising students. After time is spent on subject matter in classroom lectures and discussions, it is helpful for the students to be able to apply what they have learned. This not only gives them a break from the routines of the classroom, it also gives them something to look forward to. So, not only are they engaged more in the classroom, they now have the opportunity to become engaged in their community.
Hi Darryl,
Students welcome our personal stories. They want to hear them, and they are so motivating.
Patricia
I agree that telling jokes, personal experiences relating to the subject will get students involved. I have told numerous personal experiences to my class about the food industry and how it pertains to the topic. It really keeps them focused and motivated.
Hi Sarah,
Students truly love our personal experiences. They appreciate them, and they welcome the information. We must continue this effective practice.
Patricia
In the kitchen classroom it is easy to apply personal experiences from the industry to drive home a concept, technique, or method.
Hi Laura,
True, students have a greater interest in writing if they are truly interested in the subject matter.
Patricia
Other ways in which I keep the students engaged is field trips to a musuem, botanical garden, or even the movies. Since it is an English class writing is involved. This way, students have some options in what they want to write about. Students will not be forced to write about something in which he/she is not interested.
Hi Laura,
Games, jokes, and personal stories are great ways to engage your students. What other activities do you use to keep your students engaged?
Patricia
