I was going to post this elsewhere, but I get my best responses here! I work at a college library, and this quarter we are doing something new. For first quarter students, we have put together an interactive presentation on how to do better 'search strategies' instead of just googling something for their research papers/projects, etc. Well, I input a lot of my teacher knowledge in there. Such as keeping the powerpoint very short (which was going to be the only thing shown to them originally), and creating a simple handout, involving a computer so we could show them examples and do examples with them...and a whiteboard for further visual learning. Anyway, the one thing I got stuck on...is my boss was really wanting to do was some sort of motivator. A lot of time the college kids come in there playing on facebook, going on their phone, or just plain bored gazing off into space. We're hoping by keeping them interactive with the presentation is enough....but anyway my boss suggested every time they get an answer right we throw candy at them. Yes throw, not hand...she was specific about that. :huh: She was super giddy about it, but my co-workers and I don't really love that idea....but I'm used to working with elementary age students...so I'm not really sure how to touch that base with college age kids...do you guys have any ideas? I guess she just wants a motivator, something to keep them interested and involved in the presentation. Any suggestions? :help:
I think tossing the candy in their direction would be more than acceptable, but from the start of the presentation, you need to keep things "light" (with your personality and such) or else when the moment comes for you to toss the candy, it may be a tad bit awkward.
Tossing candy into the crowd for right answers always worked when I was in school. Since you are with the library, do you have pens, pencils, etc. that you could mix it up with (obviously you wouldn't throw a pencil at someone!) or maybe give out raffle tickets for 1-2 larger prizes at the end of the presentation?
I'm sorry, but I think it's absurd that you have to bribe and entertain COLLEGE STUDENTS to get them to pay attention to something that is solely for their own benefit.
I don't think I like the idea of throwing candy. My department had to do the most boring orientation presentation every term for all the college prep math classes at the college for YEARS. I never had a problem keeping their attention. My approach was a combination of humor and just downright seriousness. They knew I was not one to cross from about the first word out of my mouth (or even before that), but I kept cracking jokes, so they stayed tuned in. It's all about presentation, not bribery, imo.
Yes I completely agree, I didn't like the candy idea. But my boss says she wants SOMETHING to motivate them. The college is in an affluent city, and it costs a lot to come here (I will leave my opinions about all of that out of this..); and unfortunately the students seem to really care less. They are mostly straight out of high school, and it shows. So for the majority of them to take this seriously, they just don't and it's a shame really. I don't do the presentations...so I guess unless we all get together and write up some ideas of things she could say...that part I don't really have control over. Thanks for those suggestions though.
As a college student, in my opinion, candy won't help. I would take the presentation less seriously if someone had to give me candy just to get through it. Knowing where to get the best information is important. I would impress upon them how valuable that info is. Maybe make it interactive too, have them look up something and get the best information possible. My freshmen year, I had an english class about how to get scholarly information and I use what I learned in that class for EVERY research paper, assignment, etc.
How about some type of quiz or assignment at the end? Tell them upfront. It can be extremely informal if need be. Or, make the handout only an outline so they have to pay attention to get the details.
