Keeping Your Focus on the Students | Origin: ED102
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Student Retention Methods --> Keeping Your Focus on the Students
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Utilizing my nursing background is something I want to be more intentional about. Having a nurse as part of a general education course offers students a unique perspective, and I would like to better incorporate real-world healthcare experiences into the learning process. This can help make the content more relevant, practical, and engaging. By connecting course concepts to real-life situations and encouraging students to draw from their own experiences as well, I can create a more meaningful and applied learning environment.
Reading about the need for instructors to recharge was something I really needed. I have experienced that mid-class slump myself, and it was reassuring to see that this is something many instructors face—not something personal or a reflection of my abilities. Just having that validation helped me shift my perspective, and it has already motivated me to be more intentional about recharging my own energy so I can continue showing up fully for my students.
Keeping the focus on students means really paying attention to their needs, not just the lesson plan, and adjusting when they’re struggling or disengaged. Checking how students are doing and making small changes in my teaching to keep them involved and supported.
Adult students get bored easily, use a variety of methods. Make it fun!
Recharging is necessary for instructors as well as with students. As an instructor, a plan of action is needed to refocus.
The concept of "Learnativity" is interesting in that it reflects on the combination of instructional situation and the student. Oftentimes, we forget the emotional component of learning. As educators, we must be open to constantly remind students of their "why" to help them to buy-in and to remain focus to achieve their career goals. Recharging is necessary for instructors as well as students. As an instructor, a plan of action is needed to help to refocus. REFOCUS means: Recognize, Empower, Focus,
Objectivize, Commit, Unburden, Surprise- This is needed from the instructor's lens in order for them to continue to keep the momentum with keeping their students energize.
Keeping the student's attention should be your number one goal, in order for them to learn effectively and comprehend what you are teaching. If you can bring some excitement to the classroom they will comprehend so much more of their lesson.
Keeping students engaged is important when it comes to their success. If students are struggling, being disruptive or even need a break it it’s important to help them refocus on task.
I learned that you can always be creative when getting students to engage in the class content.
creating real life situations really helps with keeping the students focused. money also helps
I learned quite a bit from this section-
- making eye contact w/the students when they are talking instead of focusing on a separate task
- when there is an excessive talker-assign them the role of taking notes on the key points discussed and then they will share the key points in a brief discussion
- encouraging students to share a learning experience in the second half of the module to not only allow them to recognize their growth but also show to their peers that this is doable and possibly trigger a new learning experience
- initiating a simulated crisis event to help students function under pressure during an emergency
It's been too long since I attended community emergency response training than I want to think about but I find that world very interesting. So of course the parts that caught my attention were the mention of triage and the emergency game. Triage is just plain practical so using it to deal with classroom time pressure just makes sense. I love the idea of the surprise game being used to keep variety in the classroom. I want to design a 'who dunnit' style mystery in the same vein where students find "clues" incorporating practical labs that they have been learning such as electrical troubleshooting or how much ice an ice machine can produce in a given time.
Use a variety of learning methods to engage different type of learners. Tell stories to exemplify key points. As an instructor demonstrate positivity and passion and students will recognize and appreciate engagement.
My take away from this course is that it is important to assess at the midpoint of the course to help students get back on track while there is still time.
I knew all of this already honestly, but if I had to name a major takeaway it is that proper preparation prevents poor performance.
It is very important to keep Your Focus on the Students because students become bored very quickly if there is no variety or change in the course.Adults attention span is 10 to 15 minutes long.Make sure to have variety and surprises within the lesson/presentation .
Think of creative ways to keep the class engage. Don't just lecture. Incorporate different learning styles into teaching.
Students of any compacity are the way and the future, keeping them engaged and motivated is half the battle of them becoming successful and developing in their skill. building a good relationship strengthens their success rate and build confidence in them that the career choice they have selected will be beneficial and pay off in the end.
As an instructor student's motivation can be a tough one. I have found that honest and truthful feedback is always best. Even when it is a hard pill for the student to swallow. I will challenge the stronger students past their comfort zone, and challenge myself in finding ways to get through to the weaker students. Nothing beats the feeling you get when you see the lightbulb turn on from a student and have a new sense of motivation to push through.
Keeping the classroom or laboratory exciting and interesting will help with the student's retention and appreciation of new experience and education. I.e (having them engage by writing on 3x5 cards or playing group games)
