What is
the best way to keep an all day lecture (5+hours) engaging?
I find that if I mix my teaching styles during the day it is easier to keep the students engaged. I will often cut away from the lecture format and move to an interactive role play activity this is a good way to use the state change to help to keep the students involved. If you can't recognize that the students attention is waining you could be wasting your words.
Hi Michael,
Students love it when only lecture is not being used. Students wants to have more interactive learning. It is fun and very effective.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rachael ,
Try having different teaching methods, such as role playing, case studies, scenarios, mock learning, group project, peer teaching, simulations, role playing, etc.
Patricia Scales
By having the students teach part of the class and ask questions to their classmates this keeps the students interested in the topic
I have found that it particularly helpful to come up with projects or activities throughout the day that allow the students to apply what was discussed during the lecture. Gets them involved and they then have some input into how the lecture or discussion can then evolve.
Hi Robert,
When students are able to apply theory, they have grasped the concept.
Patricia Scales
As part of the automotive and truck education system lectures that stretch 5 plus hours is an evil we have to deal with. However if the instructor keeps the "discussion" lively and the students are called on to reply to parts of the lectures it to can fly by quickly. In addition to the lecture it helps to have physical training aids on hand for demonstration purpose. Passing the training aids in a timely fashion is important because talking about one thing and having another thing moving around the classroom can become confusing.
Hi Raymond,
In a time frame that you are working with it is essential to utilize a variety of teaching methods to keep the students engaged.
Patricia Scales
What I do is to mix up the teaching methods somewhat to keep the flow of the lectures, or class work interesting. Use some real world experiences as examples of what you are trying to get across. Backed up by the proven facts. Use some lighter points mixed in with some more technical info. Watch your students reactions to what they are learning, to see if you are getting trought with your lesson.
Hi Michael,
Students love variety in the classroom. It keeps things interesting and exciting for students when they do not know what to expect next.
Patricia Scales
I always do a mixture of lecture, activity, demonstration and reading- to try and cover all of the different learning styles.
Hello Rachel-
I have had success with short (say 20-45 min)group research excercises in which the students have to team up and answer some questions using resources on campus. I know the lessons mentioned staying away from group presentations, but my students are fast at powerpoint, so if I ask them to make a quick slide show answering a couple of questions about a topic we hve been discussing, they are able to do it.
Also, I might send them to the library and ask them to bring back photocopies of some cool images or layouts to discuss. It seems to help to leave the classroom for a while.
Good Luck!
K
Hi Rachel,
I discuss material with them for about 20 minutes and then have them break into groups to apply what they learned.
I have the students complete group projects during class time. Example: I discuss the various pricing strategies and then have the students meet with their groups to discuss which one is the best fit for their particular business. They then have to explain why they selected the particular pricing strategy.
I create projects that include the material from each chapter. The students then break into their groups after I explain the material and apply what they learned during my lecture. I ask them questions and provide real-life examples during the lectures. I also encourage them to share their experiences. They are actively learning the material by hands-on application. It is impossible to lecture for 5 hours and keep their attention. The class needs to be divided into sections by using various activities and training methods.
