Enhancing Your Classroom Lectures to Best Benefit Your Students

Enhancing Your Classroom Lectures to Best Benefit Your Students

by
Travis Black

The use of lectures as an instruction tool in the classroom is often thought of as being "old school" and an ineffective strategy for meeting the needs of students in today's world. The advancements in technology over the last few decades have helped create newer and more exciting learning opportunities for students. Teachers have found themselves turning toward these newer approaches and away from the the often-thought-of-boring lecture methods. However, lecture has its merits and should not be ruled out completely as an instructional method. When done correctly, it can be very beneficial for students and their acquisition of knowledge. Within the pages of this book, you will find several evidence-based tips that help will make your lectures more engaging, memorable, and over all, effective for students.

TIP 1: Review Background Knowledge and Build Connections With Previously Covered Material

Introducing a new concept is often difficult, especially if students have no background knowledge or way to make sense of the new material. Engaging students with a review activity will help bridge any gaps that exist between old and new knowledge. Adding in a short introduction video will help pique the interests of students and give them a guide to help focus their learning.

TIP 2: Provide Your Students With Brain Breaks to Help With Attention and Information Process

Current research has shown that students retain information better when they receive it in smaller amounts instead of lengthy periods of instruction. The longer students have to sustain their attention, the harder the struggle is for them. Providing short "brain breaks" can reset their attention. Examples of these breaks could be exercises, a bathroom/drink break, or any off-topic activity, etc. This down time will allow the student's brain to process the newly acquired information and to be ready for the next amount of information.

TIP 3: Check For Your Students' Understanding Periodically Throughout the Lesson

Checking for understanding in your students throughout will let you make adjustments and changes within the lecture instead of waiting until the end and having to reteach. Asking periodic clarifying questions about the content can also help students check their own understanding of the subject matter and add focus and redirection for them in the lesson. In addition to questioning throughout the lecture, the use of a practice test shortly after the lecture has proven an effective way to gage student understanding.

TIP 4: Carefully Gage the Pacing of Your Lectures to the Ability of Your Students

Make sure that you keep your students in mind at all times when planning and teaching the lesson. It is easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of sharing knowledge with students, but make sure that the amount of information that you share at a given time does not exceed your students' cognitive capacities. During the lesson, avoid going too fast and allow time for students to process the information and ask questions for clarity. Remember that students process information at different rates, so you will need to have knowledge of your students' cognitive strengths and difficulties to make the needed adjustments in your lectures.