How to get students interested in learning
More often than not, students tend to get complacent or disillusioned with learning, as they tend to see it as a chore. They may lack interest for any number of different reasons; and it’s important to navigate through those reasons and find a suitable way to engage with students within their learning. It is also important, as a teacher, to do your best to ensure they grasp the basics of any subject – which is often easier said than done.
We’ve pulled together our list of ways to help you get students interested in learning, whatever the subject:
- Make learning fun
- Use multiple resources
- Let students join in
- Change the environment
- Consider their interests Show relevance to careers and everyday life
Make learning fun
When you think back to when you were little, everything you learnt was through play. As we get older, that ‘play’ dynamic shouldn’t be any different. People are often more engaged with a subject they enjoy, so lessons need to be more fun in the process. It might not seem possible for some subjects, but there is always a way of getting around the mundaneness of a subject. Turn it into a game, or consider creating some kind of competition. Use songs or videos or a funny cartoon that is bound to stick in their heads.
Use multiple resources
Sometimes it can be difficult to stick to one medium to teach a subject, so make sure you have all the different resources available in your arsenal. Touching on the ‘fun’ aspect, multiple resources are the key! Videos, music, physical objects or games, stories, even special guests – the possibilities are endless.
Let students join in
The best way for any learning to truly take place is for students to participate in the whole of the learning process. Learning by doing is still a fundamental teaching method, and when a student is an active participant of their own learning, they are much more likely to engage and retain information. They are more likely to understand how achievable it is if they participate too, making the subject less daunting and easier to learn.
Change the environment
Some learning is best done outside of the classroom. Museums and field trips can teach you much more in a shorter space of time than in the classroom. It can even be as simple as moving outside into the school playground – and if you have a whiteboard on wheels, you can utilise it to document your learning together.
Consider their interests
If you have a class who loves a particular game, toy, hobby or tv show, make sure you incorporate that into your teaching and their learning. They are far more likely to retain information if it relates to something they are interested in, and it makes it more personal to them too – leading to a greater engagement, retention and investment.
Show relevance to future career and everyday life
Nowadays, students often wonder what is the point of certain subjects and maybe think they don’t need them in order to get to where they want to be. But more often than not each subject has some relevance to a future career or everyday life, and it’s important to illustrate that. Try and show how the subject is relevant to different careers and how it can be used in the future to achieve success; and students will more likely take note.
Choose Presentation Spaces for your Whiteboard needs
It’s not always easy to get students interested in learning, but that’s half the challenge of a good teacher and half the fun too! By striving to increase an interest in learning, even in the most ‘boring’ of subjects, you are working towards creating a better future for each and every student. And by taking the time to adapt and create alternative ways of learning, you are more likely to achieve your goal.
Whiteboards are a useful interactive tool to help students learn, and are particularly engaging with all students as they can be used by both teacher and pupil.
At Presentation Spaces, we have a range of school whiteboards, including magnetic whiteboards and whiteboards on wheels. Our UK manufactured whiteboards are available in the widest range of sizes anywhere on the market and we can create bespoke sizes for customers too!
We also have a range of markers, magnets and other accessories to complete the look!
We are confident we are able to supply you with just what you’re looking for. Call us on 01382 913 913 or email us at info@presentationspaces.co.uk with an enquiry and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
