power drill

Motivate not teach

Had an intersting conversion with a buddy yesterday over the phone. My buddy here just got a job at a local college as a math tutor. He is actually a reserved guy who has a degree in stats. From the tone of his voice,I knew he didn't paticularly have a great start for his first class. He lost most of the students after the 1st hour. Many of them were busy sending the votes to the UN Security Council to veto US from attacking the middle east via SMS (which I often do during long presentation at work). So the question was posed of how can he get the students' attention in class. Based on my learning experince, I have notice the following strategies to work in getting students to use their noodle in class.

1. Ask students to read the important parts in class.

In my years as a student only a small portion student actually read prior class. I think its like 0.2 microns of a percent ( 0.2 micron is equivalent to a single human hair sliced 500 times). Have them read the openning chapter and ask them to define the important general concepts. This will get the blood pumping immediately to the brain. Get the dazed Mr and Ms Stone to start this reading a loud.

2. Get the student to attempt previous homework on the board with slight alteration to the questions

This is a clever tool to gauge the understanding of students on the concepts they have learnt. By knowing the level of understanding, teachers than can start focusing on the areas that need attention. It is also good way to gauge whether they have attempted the homework or just copied off their friends before class (Manual Photostating).

3. Get them to work in groups

Understand that there will always be a communication gap between students and teachers. Students understand their peers better and usually know the level of proficiency of each other in class. This is because they ask each other more on lessons compared to asking Mr Teach.To leverage on this, organize the students into groups. Also, single out the clever ones and assign them each to a group. When groups are formed, give them questions to solve. The clever ones will usually help the weak. This allows the smarties to revise and solidify concepts. While the rest of the class actually starts learning even when there are no exams tomorrow.

4. Mix the guys with girls

Research has show when the guys sit next to the girls in class, they behave more and pay attention in class. But, the challenge here is to get them to sit together. To do this form groups that have a balance number of boys and girls. Remember to include the smart one for each group. Once the groups are formed, tell them to retain the group seating arrangement because alot of work in class will be done in groups. Saperate the students tables and only bring the tables together when there is group work.

5. Promote to attend class

Indicate that learning and attempting exercises will be done in class. Promote that students need to do minimal work after class. Student see this as beneficial and will want to come to class. Even I like to come to classes where learning starts immediately and I don't have to put a lot of effort after class.


I think the key here is to focus less on teaching and create opportunities for students to learn. The main task here is to motivate them to do so.

posted by edii @ 4:28 PM