I've noticed students like to hear how will this benefit me. I give them examples on how the subject at hand was a benefit to me in the field. Role play is another method I have used. Set a certain scenario where they have to engage to solve a problem.
Hi Troy,
Learing the concepts/material while they are in training (school) will definitely cause a lot less headaches when they get in the field.
Patricia
i tell them how the lesson will bebifit them when they are out there in the field and how it will make their life easier
troy
If I don't capture a student's attention at the
beginning of a lesson, I usually have a private
talk with him or her before break. If they have a
personal problem, they know I am ready to help if
I can. I have found that one-on-one attention can
usually help most (of course, not all) problems.
Hi David,
Great idea! You're right, if students know they are going to perform in front of their peers, they will pay close attention so that they don't embarrass themselves.
Patricia
I use a technique where I will randomly stop the the lecture and put multiple questions or statements on the board and then have students come to the front of the class and either fill in the blank or complete the statement in written form. I randomly pick students to come to the front and complete these tasks. Since the students know that they may be asked to come in front of their peers and answer questions they tend to pay attention and be more involved with the discussion or lecture.
I also found that breaking down the class into sections that they can use every day is very useful
Hi Shawn,
I like to use this strategy as well. I believe that making the course material relevant to today's world is essential for keeping students interested in the course material.
Hello Instructor Scales,
I capture attention from inattentive students by posting links to podcasts and other media that can help to bring the course material to 'life'.
Enjoy expressing your excitement about the content. Move around and become part of the group while sucking them into the discussion. By putting yourself out there, you are encouraging students to do the same.
Hi Richard,
It sounds as though you fully believe in active learning. I fully believe in getting my students involved as you do.
Patricia
I try to get them involved in whatever is going on at the time. I will call on them to help read some of the class material or have them come to the front of the class and help place material on the board. I will also call on them to give me their opinion about the subject that we are discussing at the time.
I capture the student's attention my relating the course to real world expierences. I believe that if a student realizes why they are required to learn a certain subject than they take a greater interest.
I have also found the "state change" to be a good way of keeping them interested. I have also found that on occassion I may need to take diverge into another topic based on a student's question that cannot wait until later.
The easiest way i have found to capture the attention of my students is to talk about the subject but also dont get stuck only on that subject...the occasional state change is an easy way to keep them from being bored with me. Also I am VERY animated as I walk around the room. I adress the students as individuals and also as a group.
I am a big fan of moving around the room throughout the class period. It lets the students know that I am paying attention to all of them. I also like to ask questions and have only the students that are directly around me answer. That way I get the focus of the different groups as I move through the room. I also try to get the students to share their experiences in clinical. This breaks up the students into smaller groups so I can get feedback from all the different clinical groups.
Ask questions related to lecture.
I do this too.. giving them examples of real life encounters helps wake them up!
