Engaging students
During the first week of classes, I try to have the students feel excited about the class and its content.
Hi Janis,
Good idea! I like to engage my students by utilizing a variety of teaching method during the grading period. I do things such as games, scenarios, case studies, group projects, role playing, simulations, debates, etc. Students tend to enjoy the variation.
Patricia Scales
On my orientation day I have each student in my clinical group share whatever they would like as to why they have selected nursing for a career.
Hi Janis,
Some of our students enter school with a lot of great experience that can certainly add great flavor to various classroom discussions. We need to let these students share their valuable input with the class.
Patricia Scales
I have used this technique myself for engaging students on day one and it also shows that I will welcome their input throughout the course. Their experiences in their previous employment can often add to the classroom topic.
I find that energy is a big key too!
I keep my tone and inflections different at different times. When someone answers a difficult question we get excited, then all the students get excited and want to answer. Students love to be right and to have someone acknowledge it!!
H Marie ,
When students realize how they can benefit from the course they have a better appreciation for the course.
Patricia Scales
I also let them know that this class and the clinical hours they spend with clients who have mental illness and addiction issues in the community will change their thinking paradigms.
This conversation also allows me to discuss the concept of thought and belief paradigms. Students leave the class thrilled they have quickly learned a new concept and new terminology. Thanks, marie
As a Nursing Faculty teaching Psychiatric concepts, I often have students who take the course because it is mandatory and arrive to class saying, "I am not interested in Mental Health, I want to be an OB RN, or an ICU nurse". My objective is to allow them to discover how they can provide quality nursing care by understanding themselves and their patients.
The students are required to write a short journal about their past experiences with mental illness, addictions, and disorders such as Major Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, PTSD, dementia, etc. They email the journals to me and after reading these entries I obtain insight into their lived experiences and in class advise them all they are arriving with valuable knowledge that will assist them in gaining additional competencies in the field of mental health.
After this exchange, the majority of students share, and ask more insightful questions. Thanks, marie
Hi Shea,
Students enjoy an energetic instructor! An instructor's energy is contagious!
Patricia Scales
My technique for engaging my students is use as much energy as I can when explaining things. Know my students personally so that I can get on there level.
I try to paint a mental picture of how this class will help them in caring for their patients. I obtain feedback on what their future goals entail.
Hi Katherine,
This is a good question to help pull the students into the lesson. Some students have some great applicable stories to share to add flavor to the course.
Patricia Scales
I have found that the students get engaged when you ask "Has anyone in here done that or had that happen?" It seems that this brings the course content to their lives. Plus... the other students like to get insight into their classmates:-D
Hi Wenger,
Great, each day generates excitement from your students. Excitement keeps them coming back each day.
Patricia Scales
