The student gains confidence that you regard him or her as an important member of the class.
Students should feel as if you are speaking to the entire class, as well as each student individually.
I can understand how holding eye contact for much longer than that could be uncomfortable for the student.
Greetings Anjali!
Acknowledgement is the key concept here. Makes students feel like they are valuable and part of the bigger picture.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
By making eye contact with a student,you are engaging the student in class room activities,and it also helps the student understand that they are a valued participant.
Making and maintaining eye contact with each student throughout the lecture helps both the instructor and the student stay focused.
I view their eyes and the window to their soul; letting me know if they are totally focused on what it going on in the classroom and if they are prepared to participate. When the student lakes understanding of the content it is difficult to maintain eye contact with them.
Students do seem to come to class better prepared when they know the instructor will be in personal contact with them during the class via eye contact, comments and questions.
THIS FORM OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION IS
EXTREMELY VALUABLE!
I THINK EYE CONTACT IS A VERY VALUABLE NON VERBAL WAY TO HELP STUDENTS BECOME FOCUSED ON WHAT I AM TRYING TO ILLUSTRATE.
Eye contact with students makes them feel that I am interest in them as an individual and I can usually tell if they understand the point I am trying to convey.
It gives student a feel of acknowledgement when you make that eye contact and maintain it for a few seconds before you move on to the next one. When they see that you are looking at them, it encourages them to actually stay focused and pay attention to what you are saying.
I believe that it grabs their attention. For some reason, when they know that you are looking at them, or they know that you will sooner or later, they prepare for it which keeps them from doing other things (such as texting).
Paula, the eyes are truly the windows to the world and tell us sooooo much about students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Kai!
Staying connected with our students helps build there self esteem as well. They feel like their input and ideas are valuable.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I believe that maintaining eye contact lets that student know that I do care that they are there and that I am there for them. It also gives me an idea as to if they are even getting what I am saying.
I agree that when student's know that an instructor will always maintain constant eye contact they usually reply like kind with their attention and eye contact.
I agree, it also can help you assess if the student is engaged and understanding the material presented.
It is often through eye contact that instructors determine when more demonstration or reteaching is necessary when you detect the "deer in the head lights" look in the eyes of the students.
It suggest a firm confident understanding of the material. It also is a way to keep the student's attention.
I agree, eye contact shows that the instructor is self confident and cares about their students, but it's also a safety net for students. Instructors who know their students recognize when the student is not grasping the new concept. It also allows you to monitor for students who are sleeping or texting...oh no.
