Sharing effective tools to break up dry content
Always looking for new and creative methods to help break up and keep the energy going in those class lecture days that are a bit more dry than others. Any suggestions?
I'm teaching an Intro to Computers class to 20 something year old students. This is a challenge to keep their attention so I bring in show and tell items. One day I brought in some vacuum tubes that were date stamped 1945 and were the size of a coke bottle. These vacuum tubes were similar to the ones used in the first computers built in the early 1940's. One day I brought in a TV picture tube that is about 5 inches in diameter. This is identical to the the first picture tubes developed in the 1940's. I was trying to help students appreciate the history of computers and it worked for a few days.
Students are always a challenge these days and I don't have all the answers. I hope this helps with a creative way to stimulate your class.
I like to ask the students questions about the lecture I just gave and sing the Jepordy song while they think. It brings something fun to the day.
I love incorporating the arts into lecture. This can be accomplished through role-playing or debates. What a fun and effortless way to engage students.
Melissa
Putting students into learning groups helps to move them around and reset their brains a bit. Then I would give them case studies to work on that use the information that has just been covered. Students increase their engagement if they get to immediately use their newly acquired knowledge. This also shows them what areas they need to review in case they missed some of the content. Then you can have them report out on their group solution to the problem. This activity can take as much time as you want to alot for it. Once completed you can go back to your lecture and keep the course moving forward.
Gary
I would allow the students to work on group assignments, and have each student rotate their different roles.
-Tracy
