This Q&A was adapted with permission from the book Chalk Talk: E-advice from Jonas Chalk, Legendary College Teacher, edited by Donna M. Qualters and Miriam Rosalyn Diamond –
Question
Dear Jonas,
I teach two classes – one with 25 students, and one with 120 students. In both classes, I frequently see students not paying attention, looking bored and inattentive. Sometimes they’re even asleep. I teach very technical classes, so it’s difficult to have lively classroom discussions. What can I do to keep my students interested?
Signed: Sandman
Answer
Dear Sandman,
Students find practical demonstrations and/or experiments to be very interesting. Multi-media presentations can also help break the monotony, although you might be careful about lowering the lights when students show signs of sleep deprivation. In addition, having students work on sample problems involving material that was just covered is a common, but very good, device. Even in large classes you can get students actively involved. One good technique is called “10-2 squared”. After 10 minutes of lecture or demonstration, pose a question to students that applies what you’ve presented. Have them work with a partner for 2 minutes to formulate an answer. Then take two minutes to debrief the group.
In your smaller class, you have extra options for making the class dynamic. You can have the students work on sample problems in pairs or even in larger groups. You can follow this up by having students present their solutions to the class for discussion. In addition, the old standby of calling on inattentive students by name really does help shake them out of their daze.
Make a real effort to find points that are open for interesting discussion, even in the midst of technical subject matter; for instance, you can sometimes point out seeming paradoxes that arise from the theory, and ask the students why, in fact, these paradoxes do not occur. Also, humor injected into the class is helpful – any good speaker knows that a bit comic relief really helps to liven up a class and provides a reenergizing pause from intensity.
As a final comment, please realize that, for a variety of reasons (some having to do with heavy course demands), students frequently stay up late and get very little sleep – an individual’s lack of energy and/or enthusiasm on a given day may have nothing to do with your class.
Jonas
Quick Tip
It is extremely important that you, yourself, show your enthusiasm for your subject – your energy will increase theirs!
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This content was adapted with permission from the book Chalk Talk: E-advice from Jonas Chalk, Legendary College Teacher, edited by Donna M. Qualters and Miriam Rosalyn Diamond.
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