Get Your Students Hired
I'm just starting out in the teaching field and I'm concerned about keeping the students' attention. They're going to be small groups and long class hours (3-4 hours) and keeping the positivity high and the conversation flowing is a big concern for me. Can anyone name some ideas that I could utilize?
Hi Lyndsie,
I too agree with all the responses. This was my first time as an instructor and had the same concern. I created some trivia questions and riddles that I found online about a particular topic in the chapter, it turned out to be really fun.
Lyndsie,
I agree with the other replies. I try to start off the class with an "Attention Getter" of the subject I am introducing. This right away gets the students excited about what they are going to learn. I lecture and then have a hands on activity in the lab reinforcing that I just taught before moving on with the lecture.
Melissa
Lyndsie,
I have to agree with Gary. When you have a class that runs three to four hours you have to keep the students engaged. I suggest changing things within the duration of the class. Lecture for a few minutes then follow up with an activity that supports the information. Have the students actively discuss information in class. You can try techniques like brainstorming. Students like this because all answers are accepted instead of being "right" or "wrong." I also like role playing as well.
Afrodite
Lyndsie,
I would suggest the use of role playing and case studies as two ways to keep students focused on the course. After delivering content you can have them do an activity, once it is completed then share more content and then do another activity. This will help the time speed by while keeping the attention of students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.