Get Your Students Hired
So many instructors, as students, attended the traditional college model with lecture as the main focus - it is only natural then that most try to recreate that setting in their classroom. However, especially when dealing with non-traditional students, that lecture format does not work well. You still need to give the students information but lecturing for extended periods just wont cut it any longer. Use pairs, small groups and other acitivities to get the students invoved in their own learning.
Shron,
and understanding the diversity of learners is key to effective instruction.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am a person that learns by hearing a lecture and taking notes. I realized that not everyone learns this way and most people get really bored with this method. SO implementing class learning activities was a fun challenge for me
I do tend to lecture longer than 20 minutes at times, but am always employing Socratic questioning, always trying to get students to discover for themselves something richer and deeper and to build on each other's thoughts. (Then again, I teach English and History, which traffic in a lot of mental concepts and humanities-oriented critical thinking.)
I agree, after 20-30 min of lecture half the class is dosing off, especially if you have a 6am class. I have found that relating to real life situations during lecture has awaken their interest & they tend to participate & add to their learning by adding comments or experiences of their on.
When I use technology in classrooms that's excites students as much as possible. Students embrace technology and show greater interest in classroom activities when incorporated with lecture material. Use the Internet, interactive computer software, PowerPoint presentations and touch-screen technology keeps students excited, engaged and keep them alert.
i agree with the 20 minute rule.I like to stop and do what i call lets think outside the box for a moment on this topic,it seems to work.
Hi Dennis!
It's about being creative in your delivery and finding ways to engage and entertain students. And - at the same time, being sure students are learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I always try to incorporate my lecture information along with the given demonstration for the day. I find that it helps keep the students engaged. I also find that students are more apt to ask questions in that particular setting, instead of myself behind a podium.
Hi Richard!
I hope you mean facilitative learning, not lecturing?
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I have found that if you break up the lecture with some open class dissusion and the use of some training aids that the students can put there hands on it helps.I will also take the students out to the lab for some more hands on exercises to keep them interested in the subject matter.
I have learned as a Instructor to get off subject for a few minutes about every 20 to 30 minutes of lecture,it seems to get there attention and also to regain there attention to me.
when ever i lecture about something i always relate it back to a real life situation that i experienced
Hi Megan!
Yes, instructor can lecture too much. We just have to be creative in our delivery of information.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree. I can tell when lecturing for a certain amount of time students will lose focus. I try to keep lecture to a minimum although it can be difficult when working with food as we demo products that will be made that day.
When I see that students are loosing interest, I begin a state change for about 15 minutes. I then recap the material that was covered and move on.
I totally agree. I am also in a culinary school and a lot of our students are not auditory by nature. I find we have to play games, use humor, create short discussion groups,or role play to engage the student.
Greetings Rose!
Excellent strategy and I particularly like the immediate feedback for reenforcing concepts/learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I found I can only lecture for about 15 minutes until all the eyes go blank or glassy. I then draw something random on the board just to have them hoot or holler. I move around the room and use pass around objects as well. @0 minute lecture, maximum.
Lecture combined with demo tends to work well. Keep it relatively short and then allow the students a chance to practice the skill, providing feedback as they do.