Short attention spans
One thing to keep in mind when lecturing is that people have short attention spans. The material in this course says the average adult’s attention span is about 15-18 minutes long, after that it is difficult for them to keep focused and learn new information during a lecture. In addition to the short average attention span problem there is the fact that we deal with a younger group of people that are used to information being presented to them in very flashy eye catching ways on TV, internet, magazines and their phones. They do not become interested or keep their attention focused on you very easily unless excitement about a subject is created and projected. It makes our job a little tougher but it also keeps it interesting because we have to keep coming up with ways to keep the material interesting and the students focused.
Hi Brandon,
Great advice. Thanks for sharing this with other participants. If instructors would remember and practice these three P's I am confident they will be able to keep the attention and focus of their students more effectively.
Gary
I believe in not going into too much detail and off onto another planet where we lose the students understanding and interest. Keep with the material they will need to know to succeed in the course while adding information in small doses. I teach accelerated career training and these students need it precise, to the point and at their level of comprehension. Thanks.
I have been enrolled in a public speaking program for most of my career, and it seems that I can always fall back on a foundation phrase used called "pitch, power, and pace". The three P's to public speaking, once they are mastered, seems to quell many issues with the majority of many of, not only our students' attention spans, but also our own.
Hi Santiago,
You are right about keeping students engaged in the learning process by doing different things to keep their attention. By refocusing their attention, giving them a redirecting opportunity you can expand the range of their attention span. Thanks for sharing.
Gary
I realize that an adult’s attention span is only 15-18 minutes. But with the use of state changes and a little humor the attention span seems to extend for a longer period of time. Being spontaneous and up beat seems to help too. Changing you tone of voice and pitch helps prevent the student from falling into a daze. If I animate myself and lecture as I walk around the class room, the students also seem to remain focused.
keeping them ingauged is most important
if you get the students involved in the lectures by asking questioins or asking them to explain something helps with attention spans also.
As a culinary instructor, I have observed that when doing demonstrations students tend to retain more from short demostations versus long ones (longer than 20 minutes). And also that when students can't see they do tend to start talking amongst themselves as the couse indicates.
I agree going to lab keeps me awake as well
Very good, I have much better attention by getting up and going to the lab and show them, let the students touch and discuse with feedback
