SLEEPERS
This is a common issue I face if in the early AM classes the younger student that stays up late the night before and if in the PM you have the student that works and at the end of class the head is down or the eyes open but no one home deal I try to mix up the material i give being animated asking questions but there is just one student that misses I don't want to create a problem and I do ask the student if all is ok
I tryed in a few classes the buddy system (they sit in two) if one falls asleep the other goes to the board or will have them read from the book
any other ideas ??
If I see I am losing a student due to fatigue I will make a trip to lab and involve that student in an activity to get his attention refocused.
Thanks for your comment, James! One of the proven presentation strategies is to change the stimulus every 7 to 9 minutes...it's called the "7 Minute Rule." Moving about, changing voice tone, blending in learning activities, visuals, storytelling are all a part of the process.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
I think that point deduction would set up a wall between the student and instructor.I find moving about the classroom and changing voice help keep students awake.
State changes work best for me, I keep my lesson plan flxible for just this reason, If I notice a number of students nodding off I will bring the class to lab to "try " different procedures we have been discussing in class
Sleeping in class is an ongoing concern, whether it's an AM class, or a PM class. The students work crazy hours to make ends meet, and come to class whipped. If I have a "nodder", I stop the lecture, or lab exercise, and have everyone stand and stretch. I then make an announcement that if they are groggy, get a drink of water, or stand up for a few minutes to revive themselves. I never single anyone out in front of their classmates, but I will approach the chronic nodder during break, or before or after class, one on one.
This is how I conduct my class. If I am Teaching am classes we always start with an activity.
I find that sleepers are more of a concern in the AM class. I have tried many things to keep them awake but what I find works best is mini feild trips. We either go to the lab if possible or sometimes we check out things that we just discussed on students cars. Some times all that is needed is a quick trip for a snack or a drink just something to get the bodys moving.
I have deducted points from students that tend to sleep in class and find that if tired they still go to sleep, i have found that you can have a lecture on several sections of a of topic , each section being about 15 to 20 minutes long, with ashort Q&A break after each section . I also allow caffinated beverages in the class room during the lectures , this somtimes keep the student awake, on a nice day we sometimes take a break and go outside for fresh air and sunshine this seems to help, good luck!
if i had some seats to let them sit in.
Depending on when a sleeper might drop off, I upon asking if they are ok, might have them hand out a test or previous graded homework. It helps them move around and stay awake till the break.
I find the AM group are the nappers. I recommend fruit, and if I can find a kitchen that is doing fruit I bring it in so we can all share and talk about food safety. In about 20 minutes all are awake and we talk about how quick it worked.
I've been testing tossing one one those squeezee "stress relivers" in a lets review the homework for correct answers. It really gets the class going after roll call.
Well some take it as a badge that they work in the food industry and I teach at a culinary college. No, the few I ask to stand at the back wall or side wall do not seem offended. They often have worked all night. They rest of the class rebounds back. Yes it is explained on the first day.
I like the idea of the buddy system. Presently the few "sleepers" are solo acts, but maybe if I seat them together they could help one another stay awake?
I come around and also ask them to please stand or to go and get a cup of coffee to try and not disturbe the class. Usually they try to stay awake.
i have that problem. but it is a littel diffrent in my case. the kids that stay up at night do not want to work in the kichen. and at night they are so tierd that you can barly get them to be here on time for the frist hour of class.
Sleeping in class has always been an issue. I do like your idea of not letting them get to comfortable and keep them active. I will try that in my class.
At my school this is handled by down grades. For some of the sleepers this works others don't care. I have found the by me staying mobile in the classroom they pay attention better changing voice tones and asking questions also work for me.
There was a study done in public health that demonstrated that for classrooms, meetings, etc that lasted more than an hour, the participant usually lost interest after the first 20-30 min, except with those presentors who were a moving target and/or held interest with their "performance."
The recommendation was that for every 50 min, have all the participants stand, move around, stretch, allow a bathroom break,etc. was a very simple yet successful technique for "getting the blood circulating again."
I have 4 hr classes, so this is a must for me.
