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.
I think keeping the students engaged and providing feedback is KEY!
Comment on Shane Apperley's post: Creating variety I often find challenging. I find this helpful in bringing the need to the forefront and will begin working on some methods of "mixing it up" a little from day to day.
I enjoyed thinking on the whole REFOCUS process, from keeping students engaged creatively, but also in times when I may feel stuck or discouraged, it is a good process to rethink what my course goals are and adjust on the fly to incorporate something different, as each class need may dictate.
It is important to obtain constant feedback from students to determine if learning achieved. R.E.F.O.C.U.S. is a way avoid mid-course slump. Recapture the students commitment to learn by doing an inventory of the knowledge and skills they have larned to show them their progress.
Add storytelling to your instruction but have charisma. Do it every twenty minutes if needed.
The importance of teaching a variety of ways.
I need to stay focused on my students throughout the class. They need me to stay engaged and keep a pulse on how they are doing. I also need to be ready to realize that we may all need some variety and reorganization midway through the class to remain engaged.
Keeping students engaged was the emphasis of this section. Different methods such as scenario building, crisis simulation, discussion questions are suggested.
This module emphasizes the importance of using personal experiences to engage students, maintaining enthusiasm to motivate them, and incorporating creativity and self-reflection to make lessons more interesting.
The REFOCUS acronym is very helpful.
Students need to find the course, material and instruction of content engaging on a consistent basis. They will get bored if things are always the same. A great way is to keep them on their toes with different forms of activities and different types of challenges to their knowledge base, investigative and problem solving skills to contribute to their ability to learn as well as their peers.
I thought the "Crisis game" was a great idea. Will try to incorporate in the classroom.
REFOCUS will be a great tool for keeping students and myself engaged and excited about the material and the learning process. Mid term slumps can sometimes be challenging to both student and instructor. Building a rapport and sharing personal experiences encouraging participation in a mid term review will help keep everyone engaged and give positive feedback to the students.
This section emphasizes the value in rapport with students and the impact it has on learning.
Take the pulse of class mid term. Have them evaluate what they have learned. Tell a story to keep them engaged.
learning to keep the students engaged and and focused takes multiple teaching technique such as story telling or a well planned case study or environmental issue. Adult learners can focus for about 15 good minutes of learned knowledge before they need to change it up. Being well prepared will help retain students.
Learning is most effective when students engage both their minds and bodies. Using cognitive and tactile activities together helps students develop a "working memory" of the material, significantly increasing retention. To help students remember content, it's crucial to connect it to real-world applications and illustrate its relevance to their lives. Hands-on activities, group projects, and case studies allow them to apply what they've learned, reducing the anxiety of memorizing large amounts of information. Building rapport by creating a trusting and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable participating is also essential. This means being approachable, open to questions, and genuinely concerned about their success. Encouraging interaction through discussions, while ensuring everyone feels included, helps clarify content and address individual needs. It's important to remember that as instructors, our enthusiasm and attitude directly impact student motivation. Staying energized, recognizing achievements, and continuously evaluating progress – both ours and our students' – are key to successful learning. Variety is crucial, and incorporating surprise elements like storytelling or simulated crisis scenarios can keep students engaged and excited about learning.
I have learned to add variety in the learning process. Adults attention span is anywhere between 10-15 minutes. With this information I have a better understanding on how I can develop my lectures less mondain and bring my students attention closer to what they are needing to learn.
I loved the refocus section as I need to learn this.