For many people, a typical classroom setup can be boring. This is mainly because many students in the class listen passively and take down notes. But an active teacher can change all that and increase the engagement of their students.
There are several methods available and they have different levels of effectiveness. Here is a quick list of things you can do to get your students excited about learning:
Focus on Active Learning
The biggest mistake you can make as a teacher is to only lecture in front of the class. The important part of an engaged classroom is to encourage active learning. This means turning your lectures into something more than a dry recitation of facts. You need to draw in your students with activities and calling on them for recitation. The simplest way to do this is to discuss the subject matter. Have them participate in a question-and-answer portion or have them figure out things by themselves.
Bring In the Real World
One of the major complaints that students have when it comes to lessons is not knowing what to use the knowledge for. To show your students that you are teaching them useful knowledge, it is a good idea to bring in some real-world examples of where they can use the things you are teaching.
For example, if you teach math, outline your math lessons in a way that emphasizes their use. You hear kids say that they won’t be using calculus once they graduate but knowing the basics are a big help in a variety of occupations like chemistry and electrical engineering.
Use the Latest Technology
If there is anything that can get young people excited about learning, it is fancy new toys. There are several new technologies out there that can get your students excited about learning. For example, it is now possible to buy high-quality 3D printers for classroom use in the UK and other countries. There are various uses you can have for this, depending on the type of class you are teaching.
For biology classes, you can 3D print a heart for your students to examine. A geography class is even more impressive if you can have a 3D map to show off. Many subjects can benefit from having a physical object to work with and a 3D printer can allow for custom creations with ease.
Give Them Options
When you are teaching young people, it is important that they have choices. It gives them control over their lives and encourages active participation. This can range from something as simple as allowing them to pick their chairs to letting them be creative about their projects. Choice also helps with the problem of enthusiasm. Forcing them to focus on a topic is a bad idea. If a student decides to focus on something they find interesting in the topic, give them the freedom to explore it.
When your students become interested in your class, they will be more receptive and willing to learn. The right approach can draw your students into the subject matter. The methods above are just some of what is available out there. Be creative and consider additional ways to increase engagement so that you can have active students with open minds.