Keeping students interested!
I often find that after I have been presenting for a few minutes many of the students start to doze off or look off. I know what I am showing them isn't the most interesting thing in the world, but what do you do when you get that really quiet and non-interactive group?
I often use the Socatic Method to keep the students active. Also, group activities, YouTube, and real life examples help.
I try and relate my lecture and powerpoints with my own surgical experience. when my students begin to give me that deer in the headlights look, I tend to tell them a real event that took place in the OR.
Russell,
That's a difficult situation. On the one hand, reading out loud might help him increase his skills. After all, he will need to effectively communicate on the job. On the other, you are correct it could make him and the others uncomfortable.
Susan Backofen
when i start to see a student gaze off i ask questions in the past i would have students read , i have a student that has a very heavy accent and i can barely understand him im weary of having the students read because of how they may react to his accent and i dont want him alienated
By letting them know that you may call on them to answer questions or to preform a task ,seems to make them more aware of the need to know whats going on.
Brooke,
Physical activity is an excellent way to get students more engaged.
Susan Backofen
A lot of times I would then allow a break of 5-10 to get up and moving then I would have them get into groups and give a interactive assignment to be complete in front of class. This gives a rise to the students interest and forces them to wake up...
Here are a couple of suggestions to keep your students engaged: 1.Mix up your teaching strategies. One day do quiet class work, the next day go outside, the next watch videos, the next go to the computer lab. By varying your teaching strategies, you account for all different learning styles as well as keep the students engaged by teaching them new things in new ways. 2. Also, have them collaborate. Have students work together in small groups to solve problems or complete an assignment. When each student is responsible for a particular task, no one is able to tune out or drift away.
Mondays are hard... I always ask my classes if they did any baking over the weekend or did they watch any cooking shows...They will respond or show a picture of the item made. It gets them talking and then we transition back to the day's agenda. With my culinary students I will ask about any sports they watched over the weekend, good or bad, then i ask about the food they ate or cooked.
Once they start being less engaged or disrespectful to the class i will play a game called four corners or suggest an entergizer that requires them to move around the class.
I often start calling their names and asking them questions or I call on them to read. I usually do something to get their and get them back on track. I think it happens to the best of us. Sometimes the subject matter is dry and we have to do something to keep them engaged.
We provide a tour of the school and take a group picture that will motivate the students as a group to be in school on the first day of class and achieve their career goals
Rachel,
Are there some activities you can do that have them learn the material and/or teach each other? Often times, getting them involved in the material is helpful.
Susan Backofen
