Thats a good idea for a post reading activity. Right now I am focusing on pre-reading and during reading strategies to help them engage in the text. I only have 2 students in the class so group work is not possible but I do have them work in pairs a lot. Thanks for the feedback!
Most of my courses are not taught through lecture. Once my students hear that I'm not going to be lecturing to them for four hours they get excited about the course content. I tie all content to knowledge and experience. Through discussion, participation is a must in my classroom. If you don't participate, don't bother coming in and sitting down. And it's not just my experiences and knowledge that gets shared; all of my students share their experiences and knowledge as well. This method allows everyone to develop a sense of ownership in the learning experience. This has worked very well with my classes.
Hi Jessica,
You may be able to have the students get in groups and draw to express the summary of the story.
Patricia Scales
Bring in quest chefs that have been successful,and what it takes to maintain the position of executive chef.
Those sound like great ideas. I would have to see how I can work in a hands on activity into a reading comprehension lesson. Any suggestions?
Hi Jessica,
It sounds like you do a great job to get students excited about the course content. You may want to bring in a graduate as a guest speaker to let the students know how helpful the course was to he/she. Also handso-on activities, if applicable, are always great.
Patricia Scales
It's hard for me because the students do not receive credit for the course but it is mandatory for them to take it in order to move on to intro courses. I try to make sure they know that the skills they will learn in my class will not only help them succeed in college but in life as well. I try to engage them by giving group work, finding interesting articles to use in reading comprehension and by being energetic and enthusiastic about the topics.
Hi Diana,
With night students, variety is key to keep them engaged.
Patricia Scales
What a great ideat to engage the students to pay close attention to what I am saying, and get that immediate reward for doing so. As I teach a night class, this could be a unique way to motivate them to stay engaged when they are tired.
Hi James,
When students fully understand the course material and how they can benefit from it, they gain excitement.
Patricia Scales
It begins with the Instructor demonstrating passion and energy regarding the subject matter. Students watch everything that is being presented by the Instructor. The energy being shared by the Instructor can set the tone for getting the students excited about learning.
The excitement has to first began with the Instructor demonstrated a true passion and interest in their subject matter. A better word is being "on" while discussing the topic to the students. Students feed off of the Instructor's energy.
Do a fun activity with the class before telling them what the topic they will be learning and then using that activity to share what they will be learning.
That is a great way to get students involved. I like to get my students excited in the same way, by sharing real life examples. I teach a pharmacy program and what I have done in the pass to get great involvement is create our own pharmacy. So what I did was I divided my students into different job stations such as drop off, pick up, main teach to fill, back up tech, pharmacist and floaters. For that week students were able to apply themselves and what we have talked about in the classroom in those job settings. Our patients were other students in other programs that wanted to play. It was a great way for my students to get a real world vibe and they got to apply their educational experience in the classroom to a real world setting. I think activities that pertain to their course really gets them excited and motivated because they can picture one another in those job settings
Hi Gary,
Students love it when we are able to share our personal experiences/stories as they apply to the course content. Book theory can bore students.
Patricia Scales
when you explane the cource right and see that light come on,well make them very excited
I teach a senior level leadership class to vocational nursing students. The class has a reputation of being "non-clinical" and full of rules, regulations, etc. because Nursing Jurisprudence has to be covered.
I motivate the students to engage them in the topics by giving them real-world examples of situations that I have experienced as a staff nurse or as a Director of Nursing prior to coming to the field of nursing education. I find that by giving them real and not fabricated or "textbook" examples, they are able to own the information as relevant and not just another requirement to be satisfied.
I challenge them to look at the material another way. In addition, I give them "tricks of the trade" to incorporate and remember the material taught.
I give the students tons of hands on real life situations that make them feel more confident
I teach Surgical Technology and I will have actual examples of items they are learning about so they can touch them and get a feel of everything.
I could not agree more. I find that when i tell students that i will help them every step of the way , they feel the reasurance in their eyes.
