Have action steps within the lecture. It moves the students and creates interation. I show and tell of the subject.
Hi Denise,
This certainly teaches them a lesson that they need to participate.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I find that after I have tried other strategies, standing near the student works the best. Those students that are doing something that they are not supposed to stop what they are doing and pay attention.
Halina
I really liked the idea of the "use-it-wisely" cards. I also use groups and teamwork as well as interactive hands-on activities to get the students engaged.
Silence can be an extremely powerful tool-----rather than trying to talk over disruptive students quiet will cause them to eventually focus on what is going on in the classroom.
Dave Rakowski
Great idea, I will incorporate more hands on.
I agree! I see it work everytime I use it!
I use a foam ball that I toss around the room to pick who will answer the question.
Hi Tina,
Students need to and want to hear about our professional experience so that they will know what to expect in the workplace.
Patricia
Hi Susan,
I often wonder how was teaching before PowerPoint became along. PowerPoint has really become an effective teaching tool. Students seem to really get a lot from the lessons by utilizing PowerPoint.
Patricia
Hi Halina,
Moving near the student really gets their attention. This is an old strategy, but it is certainly effective.
Patricia
Hi Sharon,
Try adding a graphic to go with the text or at least a discussion question for concepts covered.
Patricia
I like to change up my styles between lecture, hands-on and q&a with students to keep their interest
You can have the student write/draw the answer to a question on the white board. This would get their attention and allow them to participate in the lecture.
I tend to break my students in to groups or partner them up. For example in my Intro to Computers course I found my younger students were bored with my lectures since they already knew most of what I was covering, however older students needed me to go over that information. So i decided to start giving a survey on computer skills on day one of class. Then I partner student with strong computer skills with students who need more guidance in the hope that everyone will be engaged. I did like the suggestion about the Minute Essay at the end of class to quiz students on the class content though. I think I will use that in the future.
Hi Susan,
Making things real for students is always exciting and interesting. You got me thinking, and I am a buiness person. I can see how this one question generated great interest/excitement for your dental students.
Patricia
Do you customize your PowerPoint in a magic way to grab students' attention? Typically, I don't see great results with the PowerPoints that accompany texts.
I like to tell my Dental Assisting students about a recent interaction I had with a patient. I started class the other day with a "case study" and asked them what could have caused 5 areas of decay on one side of the patient's mouth, and none on the other. After discussion, I then asked them what they thought my recommendations were to the patient.
I use group assignments and mini-summaries at the end of the class. This seems to engage via peer pressure in groups. The summary is graded and this is an instant motivator.
I usually move near them and ask them what do they think about what has just been said. I change topics and ask if they have any questions.
