Barry,
This is a common issue, usually at the 50% mark of the class or program. Generally an inspirational speech or a field specific "war story" can reignite their passion.
Hi Enrique:
Students get DIS-engaged when they lose attention, are not interested, or are unable to understand the material being taught. Therefore, analysis of why students have veered from being engaged is key.
Once a teacher feels they recognize why, they can intervene with an appropriate activity. Sometimes, to get students refocused doesn't take much. A change of media, a story or a bit of humor to bring everyone back together, or if needed, a different activity that emphasizes key points that are part of the lesson (such as discussion, video, workbook, qquestion and answer, etc) can refocus the class.
Regards, Barry
You can give them special projects and responsabilities.
Hi Johnna:
Good redirection! Magicians do this all the time. They take something the audience thinks is happening one way but they are doiing something different (unknown to the audience, of course). So the class veers off a bit, you bring them back on track with using their point to make yours. Terrific!
Regards, Barry
Sometimes I have students that take us off task from the course content because of their stories and experiences but I redirect their attention easily by stressing a point that the student made.
Hi Maureen:
Great!. I think stories, situations, and related circumstances when presented at appropriate times can be very interesting - people like stories. Sometimes all it takes to get folks reconnected is a short "change up" such as you've described. Keeping students focused takes effort and sensitivity to when the seem to zoned out, doesn't it?
Regards, Barry
I really only have this problem in one of my classes. I save all my real-world stories for these times and plug one into a lecture when it happens. Works like a charm.
Hi Christine:
Great! I'm glad to hear you can get some practical techniques from the course. Just to reiterate, sometimes it doesn't take much to "break the spell" of inattention. Simple is always better if it will achieve the desired results.
Regards, Barry
I like the idea of having someone summarize the past five minutes. That would catch a "sleeper" attention, hopefully and instill the importance of paying attention!
Hi Christine:
This sounds like a great activity. I believe it would effectively get folks back on track.
Sometimes, students just lose attention, are preoccupied or feel the information is not interesting. It may take just a simple "snap" of refocus, such as a joke, asking a question, changing media delivery format, ask someone to summarize the past five minutes...whatever, just something that resets the class to continue on in the lesson. But other times, a whole different activity may be needed. Yours is great.
Regards, Barry
I like dividing students into groups to do case studies. It not only redirects, but teaches teamwork and gives them a sense of accomplishment when solving the problem.
Hi Amy:
Sometimes students just arn't interested in paying attention or are preoccupied with other thoughts not involved with class. Even teachers feel this way sometimes, don't you think?
I believe when the environment is surrounded by interesting lessons or activities, enthusiastic teachers, and engaging course work that involves the students in the learning process, the level of participation and engagement is going to be higher. Sometimes, just a momentary change of pace, followed by a return to the lesson is all that is needed to refocus the class or individual students.
Regards, Barry
I find that it helps to have a positive environment. Having a Plan B that includes something fun and/or humorous can help to redirect the student's focus.
Hi Stephen:
Student feed back helps too, by reaching out to the student ina way they can relate to. Don't you think student's will learn more when they're interested in a topic rather one they just have to take? We can make that more fun and enjoyable when we partner with them, sharing as many common goals as possible through our lessons.
Regards, Barry
What a great idea, in the lesson it talks
about getting student feed back but this is
such a perfect application for the school I
teach at. Similarly there are many applications
and areas that my school covers and by asking
questions of the students to find out what
interests them will definitely make the job
of tailoring the class to the students in it
much easier and make the class itself more
rewarding for the students in it!
I find advice in your own answer and other
parts of the lesson, my suggestion, find out
who likes french, italian, american etc.
cooking and break them into study groups
so they can concentrate on the type of cooking
they prefer working on pastries from that
area, and hopefully you have time in class
to cover the specifics of each type of cooking
in the separate groups, along with the general
requiered information of the course.
Eva:
Good suggestions. Sometimes it doesn't take much to just shift gears a little bit. Once refocused, continue on as before. Using a mixture of media resources can also help quite a bit.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gary:
Great. This could also apply to lecture principles, theories, concepts, and examples from the field. Even intermittent insertion of "show and tell" as the lecture is proceeding can snap students out the listening mode into "oh, look at that".
Regards, Barry
Help them to re-focus by redirecting the manner in which you are delivering course content. If you are lecturing, stop and provide a hands-on activity or group discussion.
I have had great results when I have asked who in the class is very good at a task and ask them to demonstrate proper technique to the rest of the class.
Hi Kym:
Good point. I think some students feel they are being charged too much and this could become a negative discussion point. But your point is on target: "Don't waste your time because for what you're paying I want to give you every cent you've purchased".
