9 Ways To Keep Learners Interested

 

Have you ever noticed your students gazing out the window, with a look of worry or defeat, or struggling to keep their eyes open? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, it might indicate a lack of interest in your lesson, a common teaching error. Don’t worry, as in this guide written by our teaching experts, we’ll explore 9 different ways to keep learners interested in your lessons.

Why Is Keeping Learners Interested Important?

First, understand that distractions can happen for various reasons, and it’s only sometimes that the lesson causes disinterest. However, your students’ consistent lack of motivation or attention should be a wake-up call to take action, as research shows that engaging your students is essential because interested learners absorb the teaching material more effectively and are likely to achieve better grades and succeed in their studies.

Engaging and motivating students doesn’t always require the teacher to perform somersaults or a juggling act! But it’s an essential skill for teachers and trainers to have. Here are 9 ways to ensure your lessons keep every learner engaged:

Set Clear Learning Goals

Confusion can quickly lead to frustration and disengagement for students. Start each lesson with clear, precise objectives and check your student’s understanding by asking for feedback or having them summarise the lesson’s goals. This approach clarifies your expectations and involves students actively in their learning process.

Embrace Humour & Fun

Lessons don’t always have to be serious, and letting students have some fun and humour in your lessons can significantly enhance the learning experience and make the lessons memorable. When students enjoy their learning, they’re more likely to stay engaged and look forward to your classes.

Offer Support To Learners

When students struggle to understand lessons, it can demotivate them, making the lesson ineffective. Offering support where needed and encouraging students to always approach situations with a positive attitude builds a supportive classroom culture, motivating them to keep trying.

Encourage Different Types Of Learning Styles

Relying solely on one particular learning method can disengage students, so instead, you should diversify your teaching methods, such as group work and practical activities, and use a wide range of resources that benefit different learning styles and let learners try new things.

Always Celebrate Achievements

Acknowledging students’ efforts and achievements is important, but the praise must be genuine to be effective. Celebrating their successes and making it known that you value their hard work creates a positive learning environment and encourages students to continue striving for excellence.

Connect What You’re Teaching to Real-Life

Demonstrating the real-world application of classroom lessons makes the material more relatable and interesting. Use current events, everyday examples, or future career contexts to show how concepts apply beyond the classroom. This relevance boosts students’ motivation and interest in the subject matter.

Engage Through Technology

Using technology in the classroom, such as educational apps and online quizzes, can significantly enhance student engagement as these tools provide interactive, personalised learning experiences, making education more adaptable and accessible.

Focus On Students’ Interests

Taking the time to learn about your student’s interests and passions and making lessons relevant to their lives shows that you value them as individuals. This personal touch encourages active participation and makes learning more enjoyable for everyone.

Be Patient & Optimistic

When students attend courses due to employer requirements, keeping them engaged can be particularly challenging as they might view learning as an obligation and something to please their boss rather than an opportunity. In this scenario, patience and enthusiasm become your greatest tools, as you can win over even the most reluctant learners by involving them in learning and giving them opportunities to express themselves.

As educators, our goal is to ignite a passion for learning that lasts well beyond our classrooms. By implementing these strategies, you can create an educational and fun classroom environment where students feel valued, interested, and excited to learn.

Keep Your Learners Interested With Carlton Training 

At Carlton Training, we offer courses designed for every stage of your teaching career, providing practical techniques for engaging students effectively. From foundational skills for new teachers or if you’re a qualified teacher wanting to develop your skills, our courses will help you enhance your teaching methods.

• Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET): Ideal for those new to teaching or training, this course focuses on engaging learners from the start with foundational techniques for creating interactive and practical lessons that capture students’ interest.
• Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET): Enhances skills learnt in the AET, offering strategies for active learning and personalised teaching approaches that keep learners interested and motivated.
• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET): Provides in-depth training for experienced educators wanting specialised or leadership roles, helping you to create and lead appealing, interest-driven educational programs.  

Book one of our courses online or contact one of our expert team to start your journey towards keeping your learners interested in your lessons.