I have learned from this course that student retention goes beyond teaching content. Building relationships, encouraging participation, giving meaningful feedback, and creating a supportive learning environment help keep students engaged.Refocus can help keep students attention.
This module reinforced that student retention is about more than just teaching content. Building rapport, encouraging active participation, providing meaningful feedback, and creating a positive learning environment all help students stay engaged and motivated. I also liked the idea of using real-world applications, storytelling, and group activities to make learning more memorable. I plan to apply these strategies by creating an inclusive classroom where students feel comfortable participating, understand the purpose behind what they are learning, and receive consistent encouragement throughout the course.
REFOCUS helps to keep your students engaged
Just like students, instructors get tired and unmotivated too. That is why it is important as an instructor to refocus, so you can get your students reenergized and motivated to get back on track.
keeping your lessons challenging and fun is the key to learning
The REFOCUS acronym is great. Can be used mid course, mid-day, mid-lecture.
Storytelling can be a powerful tool for learning and personal growth when it is used with a clear purpose, adequate preparation, and thoughtful prioritization.
Don't use the same method and style of teaching every time. Adjust and evaluate what you are doing each time you teach a class.
Use a variety of learning methods.
The REFOCUS method is a good to use for "dry" material that needs to be covered to keep the students' interest.
Variety is the best way to keep students engaged due to the fact that students, especially adults, have a remarkably short attention span.
I have learned that it is crucial to refocus the class. Not just midway through the course, but continually. Adult attention span is said to be 10 to 15 minutes. This doesn't take into account that most of these people have already put in an 8 to 10 hour day of hard physical and mental work. If you don't keep it exciting, they will check out mentally and start worrying about what their family or friends are doing or what they need to do at work on their next shift.
Keeping my focus on the students will entail noticing how focus they are on me and the material in front of them. My job as an instructor is not only to teach the course work but also to keep the students engaged by sometimes having quick discussions and sometimes laughter to remove any boredom from setting in.
REFOCUS when needed in the middle of a course to maintain enthusiasm and student engagement.
The REFOCUS method is perfect for keeping track of progress. Keeping the goals aligned with different teaching methods will help keep me on track to reaching the desired level of understanding. It will help me see if I need to adjust what information is needed to be included with detail or if can be relayed with visuals or a story to get the point across.
Switch methods such as breaks, stretch breaks and interactive activities and lectures to keep students engaged.
Effective teaching involves actively engaging students and building rapport. Instructor attitude plays a big role in creating a positive and supportive environment for the student's success. I will apply this by utilizing interactive teaching strategies, connecting material to real-life situations, and by building strong student relationships to keep them motivated and engaged.
Understand when to take breaks for students due to attention span and it also help refrain from information overload while increasing memory retention
I learned how important it is to keep students focused, and how their focus is limited to minutes.
As the Instructor I must keep in mind that students' attention spans are limited to minutes. Keeping the class engaged will be challenging, Using Verbal Cues along with refocusing and up lifting conversations should keep them from snoozing off.
