I can not agree with Dr. Meers more! Other tools I have found extremely helpful, are to get the students involved proactively. Allowing them to actually be a part of the teaching/learning process, I feel, really gets the students excited and keeps then interested, whether it is with games, demos, etc. Another tool that the students really respond to is when they can relate to the information or material on a personal level. I am sure this is probably not possible in all fields of study, but I am fortunate so far that in the courses I have taught, I have had much success!
Keeping the students active by useing hands on as offten as you can.
I agree, keeping lectures shorter and more hands on
You need to decide what is your teaching style and determine what technology is suteable for your teaching style.
I agree with relating material to Real World applications. Even when lecturing, adding pieces of why this is important and how it can be applied to their lives really seems to make the best connection.
Its always if the students can see what is being discussed. Lab enviroment is a great place to keep all involved during lecture
Every 20 minute have an activity that the students can be involved in. They can make up the activity by themselves or the Instructor come up with one that is related to what they are doing. Have rewards available for them and a good encouraging word for the students who are successful.
I think that is a very good idea!!!
My strategy is to teach and then offer some sort of activity to engage their imagination, a group exercise or competition of some sort. I am new at this so we shall see if it is effective.
The more human senses are involved the easier it is to learn and understand the material presented to use as many of the senses as possible is not only challenging but fun too.
Hi Rodger,
I have been an instructor in a vocational school setting now for about 7 years now. The average age of vocational school students is 20-40. This is a fairly wide age range to keep interested and motivated during a 5 hour class session. I have found that any opportunity to provide the students with real life applications and experience has proven most helpful. Field trips seem to be of high interest as well as the optional and occasional assignments for extra credit that further use tactile means of learning and personal creativity.
I strongly believe to involve the students in topic/discusions relevant to the course objectives by giving the students actual real life examples, thus creating excitment and intrest.
I strongly believe to involve the students in topic/discusions relevant to the course objectives by giving the students actual real life examples, thus creating excitment and intrest.
I have found the key to keeping their attention is change. A change in voice, delivery, activity, even mood reengages them. I was training an instructor in my course. During our 6 hour class time we would switch off every 10 to 15 min. The results were amazing from the students. Just the change in pace was enough to keep them interested and entertained. The assessment score were very high with this class also. I am a very “energetic” instructor and I don’t think I could ever imagine something so simple as a simple change in voice could result in more learning.
I tend to make sure that not only do I keep it upbeat, involved with change of tempo and different activities every day, but I also place the day's learning into practicality. I give them a scenario in which they would come accross this in the field and have them walk me through their experience.
I connect their learning to their interests and motivations and they are more willing to embrace it that way.
I always like to make sure that the class is interested. I found that using brain-storming clinical situations during discussions and presentations, and giving them related funny jokes, I found that to be very helpful in keeping them interested and focused.
