How can you keep your lectures engaging and up-to-date?

Understanding your audience is crucial for delivering an effective lecture. Take time to grasp their interests, motivations, and aspirations. Research relevant case studies and stories that resonate with them. Spend time in places like the cafeteria to listen to their conversations and observe their interests. Review previous classes to build upon existing knowledge. Engage in dialogue with students to understand their expectations and interests. By tailoring your lecture to your audience, you can create a more engaging and impactful learning experience.

Firstly, I don't "lecture" - I share "insights" and encourage discussions, engagement and Quescussions. There's plenty of information out there which can be daunting to my learners. Therefore, I share advise on how to identify, evaluate and apply/contextualise. There are times where I would refer to 'textbooks' concepts but discussions on authenticity and application are carried out.

One thing I have found useful is engaging students in such a way that, their creativity will be harnessed in a team activity. In trying to simplify complex scientific theories, I engage students in mini projects and challenges as their form of assessment. They will utilise different IT gadgets and power of team work to work out meaningful solutions.

In my experience, the major impact on the audience is created through the use of case studies, role plays and the interaction with guest speakers. The first ones enable discussions and the application of the theoretical framework we covered. My students found that it was a very efficient way to make sure they fully understood the key points. The interaction with guest speakers provides access to "real cases" through the eyes of experts in different domains. They get to learn the "behind the scenes"...

Ask the students regularly for feedback. What they like, dislike and methods they think would be interesting/challenging. Adapting based on student feedback (where possible) allows them to be more engaged, proactive and in control of their education. Games such as, hangman for key vocab etc, forces students to think critically rather than rely on being fed information. Pomodoro/Brain Breaks allow students a little 5/10 min break, whether it's used as incentive/reward or if you can see focus is slipping or covering difficult content so they can process the material. Mentimeter is great to check in throughout sessions anonymously. Be reflecting and adaptable with your approach to meet differing needs and abilities.

To ensure effective learning, it is crucial that the material discussed in any session of program captures the interest of the learner. Joyful learning methods initiated by the teacher, with active participation from students, consistently foster interest and engagement. Participation methods keep learners active and alert throughout sessions, while monotonous routines can lead to boredom. Incorporating methods such as learning by doing, problem-based learning, solving case studies, field visits, and brainstorming sessions can make a significant difference. The selection of these methods should cater to the diverse needs of students, ensuring that each learner finds the material both engaging and educational.

Conhe?a o seu público em primeiro lugar. Saber para quem você fala é o primeiro passo para o sucesso. Ser flexível e moldar a linguística para atender a quem lhe ouve é essencial para que n?o só te escutem, mas ou?am e te compreendam, e esse é o ponto chave da docência.

My first lecture for a new cohort always starts with a familiarisation about the overall course and how each topic relates to each other. This allows me to ask questions and gain insights on where my students are on each topic and the industries they're interested in. That way my examples can follow and build on their learning throughout the semester.

When I realized that students are usually shy to talk in class, I decided to always take the lead in using myself as example in many case studies and examples. They love it that way and get involved gradually. I also tend to go round tables and request students to share views in small groups. Sometimes we step out of the lecture room and interact with the immediate environment. Using online quiz platforms sometimes do the magic too!

When teaching nutrition, or any science-based course for that matter, it is so important to keep your lectures current with the latest information that the students are seeing in the media, especially social media. I typically start each class with "current events." I ask them what the trending nutrition/diet/lifestyle topics that they are hearing about, and then, as a group, we critically think about the accuracy of this information. I also pair each class with an episode of my nutrition & health podcast, Spot On! as a homework assignment. They listen to the episode and then complete an auto-gradable quiz. The students enjoy listening to the expert guests on the podcast at their own pace and then receiving a homework grade.

One of my "absolutes" is staying relevant, so to do this I intentionally prioritize watching/reading/listening to workforce news. To keep things as applicable as possible, I tend to focus on local and regional happenings to tie them in. This requires me to update content regularly and it keeps me well-informed.

I love to use graphs and statistics from newly published journals and magazines that most people haven’t seen yet. I’ve recently read one about “What CEOs are Talking About Going Into 2024”. We always want to stay up to date to keep people’s interest.

“Less is more”. I strongly advice to use simplified slides and short sentences while explaining. We can illustrate with some examples and ask the audience to provide some more. In such a way we make sure they are all in.

Its important to address the needs of the students as well as be aware of the limitations or barriers that you need to address. Engaging the students in the lesson can help them become a part of it and therefore be more confident that they will be more inclined to learn.

Simplicity is the best sophistication, my interactions' USP lies in understandability irrespective of prior experience level of the audience.

In accounting education, technical terms can quickly become overwhelming. My focus is on clear, direct communication to make learning easier. I avoid using jargon unless it's necessary, and I always define technical terms when they're first introduced. I explain concepts in plain language and break down acronyms so students can grasp the material. For instance, when discussing 'accrued expenses', I do not assume that everyone knows what 'accrued' means. Additionally, I'll use full terms like 'accounts payable' and 'accounts receivable' before switching to the shorthand 'AP' and 'AR'.

To maintain engaging and up-to-date lectures, it's essential to integrate real-world examples, current events, and pertinent case studies. Consistently update course materials to reflect the latest research and industry trends, creating a curriculum that resonates with contemporary knowledge. Foster a dynamic learning environment by actively encouraging student participation through discussions and interactive activities. Enhance the educational experience by incorporating multimedia, inviting guest speakers, or utilizing virtual resources. Stay connected with professional networks to remain informed about developments in your field, ensuring that your content remains fresh and relevant.

I think it's very important to understand today's generation as students. They do not want inputs from texts/internet, but something that challenges their thinking. This is what has worked for me in the class: Sharing ones own and other's stories of challenges and achievements at work. Using short clips of movies/videos to introduce the topic. Using real cases of people and companies and how they have navigated themselves. This sparks interesting conversations on various topics one wishes to address. Constant leaning and keeping upto date with articles, news reports etc is key to keeping your students engaged. That is a challenge that keeps me going ....

First, find a balance between lecturing and engaging in conversation with your audience. A common mistake is trying to present too much information, which reduces the time available for discussion and increases the need for frequent updates to your slides. Second, carefully plan the structure of your session, including an introduction, discussion, and wrap-up. Finally, incorporate various methodologies, such as polls and videos, to enhance engagement.

The students have great perspective as well. It’s important to open up the floor for discussion so that the students can learn from each other. Not only are they learning the topic at hand, but they are also learning how to share ideas in a respectful way.

Lecture which is a Passive learning method has some retention limitations: 1. Within 1 hour, learners forget an average of 50% of the information presented 2. Within 24 hours, they forget an average of 70% of new information 3. Within a week, they forget up to 90% of what they "learned" The feedback, query solving and questions from the learners makes the learning Active and results in prolonged retention.

It might be helpful to engage students through storytelling and active learning. Though lectures are necessarily high in teacher talking time, today's generation responds better and is more engaged when we offer space for reflection and analysis in small groups.

To stay updated and to bring relevance to classroom, continuous learning is essential. It's important to keep up with the emerging educational trends and global concerns. It's important to enhance our skills and competencies to address the current needs.

One needs to keep learning, unlearning and relearning to bring about solid learning for students I also look at what could be best learning outcomes for the students- whether full time students of executives doing various executive programs Keeping the discussion focused and at the same time with practical perspectives helps a great deal

Getting students to stay focused during class can feel like herding cats. Distractions are everywhere, and keeping them engaged is no small feat. -Start lessons by telling students why it matters. Whether it is going to be for the exam or a skill they will need in the future, giving them a reason to pay attention works wonders. -Make it fun. Throw in a few jokes or funny stories related to the lesson. A bit of laughter can keep the mood light and students tuned in. Instead of battling phones, make them part of the lesson. Use interactive apps and quizzes, or even polls. If they are going to be on their phones, might as well make it educational. In a nutshell, engage them with a purpose, humour, and a little help from their phones.

Personally as an academic, I constantly keep myself abreast with the current affairs and the subject matter units taught to students. I also attend short courses and Continuous Professional Development programs to stay looped on the trends and developments in various fields. As a researcher, I also review my lecture content from time to time and add/subtract content with relevance and accuracy being my top most priority.

Even if you think you are an expert or you've got lots of experience in a determined subject, always double check your planned session for new info, new techniques and/or mistakes you've identified in the past. Specially with confusing or complicated materials, it is good for you to have a clear view of each subject. That allows for better transmission of information. There is always room for new ways of looking at the same old problems, and students appreciate a clear and updated explanation. Be humble with your own learning process and never assume others learn like you do.

It's hard to stay focused for 1 or 2 hours. So try to break the routine to catch the attention of students again. Use humor (or funny analogies) or striking visuals from time to time, change the rhythm by asking questions or setting exercises, tell stories and anecdotes, .... do whatever it takes to keep their attention. Being a lecturer is a bit like standup comedy, you cannot afford to lose your audience's attention.

As a senior lecturer at the American University of Beirut at the department of architecture, I find that what my students need is to be inspired . I use case studies of real projects to illustrate my lectures to show how it could be done . As architects my students are dealing with a complex process of designing spatial experience in three dimensions, while keeping to the principles of sustainability and environmentally appropriate design. Nothing inspires them than real projects that they then go on to investigate further . In today’s world our students need to learn approach , method and confidence,

If we have looked at a new topic, video or text, I find it useful to ask the class to get into 3s and to come up with 1 comment and 1 question per group. It breaks the ice and generates dialogue. Usually that can create a good discussion, one that is led by the students' own priorities. A second useful approach is to say (and to repeat) that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Students are there to learn from/with us, and we need to know what we need to provide.

Set expectations at the outset by communicating at the commencement of the lecture series, as to what is your expectations as a "lecturer" from the students. Keep the number of students in the lecture to a maximum of 30. The ability to maintain eye contact, see the body language and gauge the interest of the students could be performed better, if the numbers are manageable. Seek one-on-one feedback, outside of the lecture room. I have experienced very authentic feedback, when I have sought feedback from students privately. Majority of the students shy away from giving feedback in public, for various reasons, but are happy to do so in private. Doing a recap of the previous lecture highlights, sets the tone for the current lecture.