A variety of methods and tools can help keep the students engaged by giving hybrid short lectures with case studies, group projects and exercises.
Nelia Diaz
Mini-lectures are effective because the attention span of adults is around 10-18 minutes so mini-lectures keep the attention of students for an appropriate period of time
What stood out to me most was the practicing a demonstration prior.
It is important to practice a procedure or example before class. This will ensure that everything goes smoothly and the teaching moment is engaging and successful.
15-18 minutes is about the attention span of an adult. knowing this, I intend to use mini lectures to keep students engaged.
It is best to utilize multiple teaching strategies in order to keep students engaged
Self-reflection after each lecture is important to improve course delivery every single time.
I enjoy varying my teaching style. My lectures are long, the class is 3.5 to 4 hours and my lectures are usually 2+ hours. I try to break it up with student discussion, asking each student to look up something pertinent for the chapter we are studying, and then present it to the class, teaching their fellow students; when each student has completed their topic, I generally praise the student and thank them, and also add something to the subject presented. This gives the students an opportunity to do some research, and hone their presentation and teaching skills to each other.
Comment on Megan Olson's post:
Megan, you make some strong points and I agree.
Developing course content is a strategic process that begins with identifying clear learning outcomes and aligning them with institutional standards and student needs. Effective content design integrates foundational knowledge with opportunities for critical thinking, application, and skill-building. It requires selecting appropriate materials, designing engaging activities, and incorporating diverse instructional methods to support varied learning styles. Each module should build logically on the last, creating a coherent and purposeful learning journey. Thoughtful content development also includes formative assessments to monitor progress and ensure that students are meeting objectives. Ultimately, well-developed course content reflects the instructor’s expertise, pedagogical intent, and commitment to student success.
I have learned the importance of recognizing different learning styles and presenting the same material in different ways to better accommodate those differences. Preparation is the key to this and to the overall success of classroom learning. By practicing demonstrations and lectures beforehand, I can ensure that the lesson will shine through and the chaos of mishaps won't distract from it.
I learned I should still practice before I demo. I should use this time to make sure that what I am doing is right, but also not worded so technically. I should use language that everyone can understand
Be sure that the material is relevant and up to date. Always align class materials with the CLOs
I learned that I must prepare myself before any demonstration because even if I have done it many times, I can still forget something or something can go wrong
It is important to know what kind of learning style your students have, and learn how to adapt your teaching style to meet the students need. Try and keep students interested and engaged because students have short attention spans.
Proper preparation leads to poor performance
Attention span is an important factor to keep in mind when teaching a course. Utilizing a variety of teaching methods helps keep students motivated and eager to learn.
With good planning comes a well-executed and efficient class - engaging students and promoting their success.
Preparing ahead of time for each class session will help you engage with the students better and allow you to have consistency in your instruction.
I learned that teaching a class is multi-factorial and there are many ways to engage your students. Making sure that all students are interacting and not just a select few will guarantee a more successful class.
