How to Get Students to Return from Breaks on Time

By Beth Sunny
Posted Friday, December 3, 2004

Ever teach a jam-packed, multiple-day class and had to deal with students not returning from breaks on time? Well this technique may be just the ticket to get them to come back.

Ever teach a jam-packed, multiple-day class and had to deal with students not returning from breaks on time? Well this technique may be just the ticket to get them to come back. You will need to give up a $20 bill and have 2 regular decks of playing cards (shuffled together as one deck).

Start the game off by pinning a $20 bill to the wall. Just let it hang there and build curiosity until the first break. Before the students leave, explain that - at the end of class - one student will get the $20. To qualify, students must return from breaks on time. Each student that does return on time will get several cards from the deck. At the end of class, ask each student to bring his/her best five cards to you. (You can determine if "best" is based on the game of Poker or highest cards.) The student with the best hand wins! Instructors that have used this technique find that students won't leave the room! Some participants will even take lunch in the room so they don't miss out on getting their cards.

About the Author
Beth Sunny is a writer, publisher, and computer trainer. She owns Software Training Resources (STR), a courseware company known for their "QuickSteps to Learning" training manuals. STR launched an exciting web site in January of 2001. The web site is specifically for the Computer Training Industry - (http://www.sharpertraining.com). The site offers a place for individuals in the Computer Training Industry a place to advertise their business, correspond with others in the industry, find training products, and discover software tips and read great articles relating to computer training. Visit the site today! (http://www.sharpertraining.com)