“Education is what survives when what has been learned is forgotten” – BF Skinner
Teaching students is an invaluable skill, yet it is often hard to engage learners and make lessons memorable. Let’s look at three key steps you can take to create engaging lessons that inspire learning.
1. Create a welcoming learning environment
In order to keep students engaged and motivated, it is essential to create a learning environment that is welcoming, encouraging, and inspiring. This can be achieved by creating an atmosphere of collaboration and support between students, rewarding positive behavior, and providing activities that make learning enjoyable. When students feel supported and challenged, they are more likely to stay engaged in the class. Additionally, allowing students to work independently and together on projects can foster creativity and meaningful problem solving. Providing students with opportunities to give back to their communities can help them develop a sense of purpose and connection to their education.
2. Get to know your learners and tailor lessons accordingly
Understanding your learners’ needs and preferences is vital in creating a successful learning experience. For instance, if you are teaching a course on the history of Europe, you must be aware that some students may come from different cultures and backgrounds and may have different learning styles and interests. To ensure that all students are truly engaged in the material, you must tailor your lessons to the unique needs of each student. This could include adapting the lesson plan for an individual student, making sure there is time for group discussions, or providing more visual content for those who learn best through visuals. Taking the time to truly get to know your learners and tailoring the lesson accordingly will go a long way in ensuring a positive and successful learning experience.
3. Provide clear explanations, examples and practice opportunities
It is important to ensure that our students comprehend the material we are teaching. One way to do this is by providing clear explanations of the topics. When introducing a new concept, it is important to keep our explanations simple and straightforward. We should provide visuals or diagrams when necessary to help our students better understand the concept. Additionally, we should use examples to illustrate how the concept works in practice. This will help our students understand how the concept can be applied in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, we should offer practice opportunities for our students to apply their knowledge. This can include hands-on activities, group discussions, and self-assessment questions. By doing so, we can ensure that our students have a firm grasp on the material being taught.
Creating engaging lessons for learners will help ensure they have a lasting and positive experience in your class.