student involvement
Student involvement is vitally important to retention.
The way that I get the students involved, is when in the classroom, as I am discussing a subject. I will have the components and pass the object among the students, this way they see and can feel the component. If there are questions about something with the component, I will stop and answer the question, because I can work it into what I am discussing. It seems to flow better that way.
I feel if you involve all students with questions on the subject matter they will tend to stay more focused on whats being taught. No one wants to look foolish in front of their peers. Try to make the questions relavent and help with additional questions to help the struggling student to the right answer.
I usually do a question and answer type of discussion. This usually turns into their own personal stories which can be quite fun as long as I can get the class back to the main focus of lecture.
