Greetings Josh!
Good technique! Students are often shy about asking questions for clarification for fear of what the other students may think. But the fact is if one student has a question the likelihood of another having the same question is very high.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I agree. In addition there are different levels of eye contact. Although a student may appear to have made good eye contact the "deer in the headlights" look happens to me all the time. To confirm the student actually did understand the material being delivered I will ask a follow up question. Eye contact shows that at that particular moment in time they are the most important person in the room.
Mike, this is so true for adult students who needs to feels valued by returning to school.
Since the classroom is designed for learning, maintaining eye contact fosters respect in both directions. Modeling this behavior is critical in developing professionals.
Ruth, the point you make about cultural background is so true. We have a very diverse population at the Cary campus in NC. I have witnessed the lack of eye contact with Asian students.
Hi Fred!
Isn't it interesting how eye contact helps instructors as much as it does students - just in different ways!
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED!06 Facilitator
Robert, I believe using all senses in learning can definitely enhance retention. This can help improve their concentration level by constantly maintaining eye contact.
It is essential that instructors maintain good eye contact with students to engage them in the learning process. Maintaining eye contact during lectures lets the students know that they are valued and invite them to respond with questions or feedback.
Yes, by making eye contact with each student, I can often tell if they understand the material I am lecturing about. Sometimes, I get confused looks and that tells me that I need to clarify my lecture with better examples, for example.
It causes feelings of being included. Showing the student you care if they get it or not. Moreover, giving them accountablity for their actions.
By making and maintaining eye contact for a short period of time students engage the class or lab.
This engages the student and makes them more involved in the lecture and its content. It can help maintain the students' interest and ultimately increase retention of material presented.
It is a basic form of human interaction and communication. Without this interaction with students it is very difficult for students to relate to the instructor as human, as an instructor, as trusting, and compassionate, etc. This is very basic and needs to happen.
Students know that you are taking them seriously and that add a sense of value and worth to their presence in the classroom and their choice to be in school for that particular field of education.
eye contact reassure a connection with you and the student. It insures you have the student's buy in!
I think it is important to acknowledge each student as an individual, and eye contact is an important way of doing so. Everyone wants recognition - and eye contact fulfils that function.
Keeping eye contact is a sign of showing respect and understanding of the topic.
As in any life situation when you look someone in the eye they have a tendancy to trust what you are saying. If you can't look a student in the eyes as you speak to them they will feel you are not telling them the truth or at the very least you do not have faith in what you are telling them. By looking around the room and finding each persons eyes while you are lecturing you make the class as a whole confident that what you are saying is the truth and that you believe in what you are saying. Now individually as you stop for a few seconds as you make eye contact with students you make them feel that they matter to you and that you have a connection with that student. As well it can make them feel that you have taken a personal interest in their education and that you care about them.
I think you are able to use conversation-like qualities with every student.
It allows the student to know you are paying attention to him.
