You’ve heard it a thousand times. What with our constant access to technology, texting all day and writing papers with Facebook and five other sites open at the same time, our generation can’t concentrate the way older generations can. We need constant, fast-paced stimulation, or we’re bored in seconds. This can make getting through an eighty-minute lecture incredibly difficult. Here are some techniques that Amherst professors use to really play to their audience and succeed in truly engaging their students.
Technology:
Psychology Professor Said Mendoza engages his students using multimedia technology. His power point presentations include pictures, youtube videos, and comics. He also intersperses his lectures with activities to get students to participate, like playing two truths and a lie to study lie detecting. College students are a lot like kids; the more visuals like pictures and videos involved in a lecture the better. Professor Mendoza uses technology and interactive activities to make his class a fun and informative course that really speaks to our generations’ interests and pathetically short attention spans.
Energy:
You know that professor you have? The old guy with the droning voice who looks like he’d much rather be at home in bed than up there talking at you? Taking a class with a teacher who’s lacking in energy will put you to sleep faster than you can check the clock to see how much time is left in the class. In order to keep college students interested and awake, a professor has to seem excited and awake himself. Economics Professor Daniel Barbezat is always exuberant. He jumps and skips around class during his lectures and speaks with lots of enthusiasm, peppering his lectures with jokes. It’s impossible to nod off when Barbezat is jumping and flailing around in front of you.
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Sarcasm and Wit:
Who doesn’t love some well-placed sarcasm? Us cynical college students can certainly appreciate it. European Studies Professor Ronald Rosbottom has honed his sarcasm and wit to near perfection. Every class is hilarious, as he makes fun of his students and himself. He once had his entire class leave the classroom when one of his students fell asleep. It was a bit of a shock for her when she woke up to an empty classroom! There’s nothing like a sense of humor to engage an audience of young adults.
Quick:
It’s a major struggle to get into one of Professor Sanderson’s Psychology classes. Why? Because she’s quick, sharp, and upbeat. She speaks so quickly that you never get the chance to space out. She’s also full of fun and interesting tips and anecdotes. Anyone who’s been to her presentation on relationships knows that she’s got some great love advice. One of the useful tips I learned from her seminar: If you want to get someone to fall for you, take them on a date that involves an adrenaline rush, like rollercoasters, a scary movie, or bungee jumping (if you’re feeling really ambitious). Your date will misattribute his pounding heart and sweaty palms to his feelings of love for you!
Amherst Culture References:
French Professor Paul Rockwell is an Amherst student favorite. He keeps students laughing with his imitations of college kids dancing in Keefe and his frequent references to Antonio’s (pizza is always a good way to get a college student’s attention). He seems to genuinely remember what it was like to be in college. He’s in tune with what interests his students, and this enhances his class lectures and discussions. People are much more interested in something if they can relate it to themselves. Professor Rockwell can take a passage from a nineteenth century French novel and relate it to a Friday night at Amherst.
Being a professor is about more than just knowledge of a subject. It’s about being able to know, engage, and connect with your students. The professors who take that extra step and find a way to make their teaching style fun and accessible to their students are the ones who stick around in our brains long after we graduate. As you begin to go through the pre-registration process, make sure to check out the classes taught by these professors!