How many times have you, as the teacher, been bored in class because you’ve given the same lecture all day? Come on, be honest. How many times have your students been bored in class listening to their third teacher in a row drone on about the topic at hand? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “many.”
One of the reasons for this is that many teachers can be plain boring. There it is, I said it! In some cases they stand at the front of the classroom and read from their notes day in and day out, expecting their students to be engaged and learn the material. This is not an effective way to teach, and it certainly doesn’t make class interesting.
One of the best ways to make your students interested in class is to use technology. There are many different types of technology that you can use, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. If your short on Chromebooks or iPads, check how many cell phones you’ve got in class. These days you’ll find most of your students have these portable pocket computers.
If you must lecture, you can use software such as Screencastify or Loom to record your PowerPoint or Keynote presentations. Upload them to a tool such as Edpuzzle and insert check for understanding questions. Remember, make your videos short. A good rule of thumb is five minutes or less.
Another great way to use technology is to create online assignments and quizzes. This allows students to work on their assignments from anywhere, which can be especially helpful for students who live far away from school. It also allows teachers to assess student progress more easily. Tools such as Nearpod, Socrative, Pear Deck, Formative, and Gimkit are great for online assignments and quizzes. You can also create hyperdocs which allow for the insertion of different types of media, websites, and assessments.
Finally, you can engage your students with social media such as Twitter and Instagram. They allow you to share photos and videos of class activities, which can help students feel more connected to school. You can also use these tools to connect with other teachers and learn about new teaching strategies.
So, teachers, don’t be boring! Use technology to engage your students in many different ways. Make your students want to be in class, and they will learn more effectively. Thanks for reading!
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