Flexible Learning simplified

As a teacher, I daily try to find ways to inspire my students and make learning interesting. There a lot of flexible and blending learning approaches or pathways to take but as of late, I have been really thinking about ways to inspire my students.

Let's face it! We live in a modern age and our students have shorter attention spans and fifteen minutes into a lecture hour or double period they're already fidgeting on their devices, thinking about what's happening on Facebook/Twitter, putting together their weekend outfit or thinking about their children or significant other.

So, the question is. How do we capture and captivate the attention of these teenagers?

Well, I am Indiana Jonesing- I am digging for lost treasure, digging for gold! I have not quite found it but I'm making head-way. My treasure map and Guide are trustworthy and it looks promising. In light of this, I have conducted some experiments.

DISCLAIMER: These are my suggestions and are not the result of professional research and experiments. Therefore, choosing to follow any of the advice below does not ensure guaranteed success.

1) Let them do research and teach!

After, a session on 'Flipping the classroom', I decided to let my students venture to the good ole library and use the archaic tools of their ancestors- you know- 'books'- (hyperbole alert). Trust me, you'd be amazed at my students reactions to books and anything more than 140 characters, so, it's safe to say that many won't be reading this.

Onward they went to research a topic with the intention of presenting to their peers. When a recap was done at the end of the class and at the beginning of the next, my students were spewing answers at me like water from a water gun (pew pew pewsh- OK maybe this sounds like video game noise but you get my point).

They really enjoyed the research and the information stayed with them as opposed to listening to a lecture where half of it they don't remember.

2) Recording recap videos

So, I must admit I've only done one but I want to test the waters before I dive in. So far, students liked the video and being able to hear my voice and view the content was a plus. There are several apps to help you achieve this (Lensoo create, Explain everything etc).

3) Get creative with your lessons

So, if anybody knows me I am artistic to the marrow. I absolutely love the performing, visual and creative arts. Therefore, my students have to display creativity in their presentations and projects. I have asked my students to dramatise, or sing (a cappella or accompanied) what they have learnt as a way of testing their understanding of concepts or pronunciation (foreign language). At some point, in collaboration with another lecturer, our students presented their marketing strategies and product prototypes. We had a range of items- from cosmetics to sports drinks and even some weird ones in the mix.

The bottom line is to find out what your students' passions and seek to unearth them. Chances are if they use their skills and talents in learning, the lesson may be more memorable and enjoyable.

4) Use resource personnel

This one is another favourite. I have had resource personnel within a specific field address my students. Of course, they must be able to capture their attention and not bore them with rhetoric. They were privy to young entrepreneurs and they even got to sample some products and got good advice (this was their favourite). Some of the entrepreneurs even gave them special discounts. All in all, they loved the diversity and it helped them to remember certain topics based on these.

5) Get out of the classroom

Let's plan to embark on more field trips! While, these field trips can be time consuming and costly, they are a great way of engaging your students. While, travel (local, regional or international) may be a delight, field trips may not be solely seeing but doing. They can take the form of a skills-training exercise or simple research around your school campus (Market research)..

Now, I know that your subject area may not lend itself to merry making and doing many activities but it does not mean that you cannot get creative with your lessons. The key is to get students to look forward to coming to your classes because as they say variety is the spice of life. Of course this is not an exhaustive list and if you have other ideas or suggestions- feel free to leave a message or shoot me an email.

Let's not just teach, let's engage!!!