Eye contact is very important not only for classroom students but for everyday life and meeting and speaking to people. If someone is not giving me eye contact, my impression is that that individual is not interested. In classroom, eye contact with students is very important because they are seeking for understanding and if there is no eye contact the student may think the instructor is not interested in their learning or education.
Maintaining eye contact with students is important because it helps build connections with the students. You are able to tell if they are engaged and if you are consistent looking around the classroom, the students will know they need to stay on task.
Frances,
this is very true & it can also help you determine if a student is engaged or not, even if they are not speaking up in class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Many students would like to just blend into their class without any recognition from their instructor. However, they often are pleasantly surprised when the instructor acknowledges their presence with eye contact. I notice when I smile or nod at the "blending student" I am often greeted with a smile.
Maintaining Eye Contact for me is very important. I feel it tells the student that you are interested in each and every one of them.
Eye contact is important to ascertain whether the students are comprehending what is being taught. Also, to determine whether you have the students' focus or not.
Having eye contact with student makes them feel apart of the class.It is like a mini one on one for a brief second.
I agree, each student needs to feel that you care about them and they truly are apart of the class.
Bobby,
this is true & also the eye contact can help you read the students & determine if they are with you or if you need to cover something in a little more depth.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Bobby,
this is true & also the eye contact can help you read the students & determine if they are with you or if you need to cover something in a little more depth.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The value of having eye contact with the students shows them that you care. When you talk to someone and look them in the eyes, that really shows them how geniune you are and what you are saying is very important. I was always taught never to trust a person that cannot look you in the eye. You want to form the proper trust with a student right away.
Maintaining good eye contact tells the students you are confident about the material you are presenting. I actually laughed to myself when I read the part asking us to remember a teacher that suffered from "nervous eyes" because that was me 16 years ago teaching in the South Bronx, NY. (My first full-time teaching position.) I have since mastered proper eye contact with my students.
Daniel,
this is so true. I also believe that it helps my students with paying attention as they see that I am paying attention to them & the rest of the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Eye contact is one of the best forms of non verbal communication. It does several things at once: checks comprehension, helps let class know that you are engaging each individual and not just "the class", re-enforces that the instructor expects them to maintain eye contact with the instructor rather than doodle or day dream (obviously unless note taking or doing a practical exercise), and makes it more on a personal level.
Jane,
this is an excellent point. I would say if you do use power point, make them the general outline so students have a structure but they still must engage with you & your discussion.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Jane,
this is an excellent point. I would say if you do use power point, make them the general outline so students have a structure but they still must engage with you & your discussion.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Many of my young students utilize electronic social media nearly to the exclusion of direct personal interaction. Using eye contact so that they become comfortable with it improves their employability because they interview much better.
Maintaining eye contact helps me to see if students are engaged or if I have lost them along the way. Keeping eye contact is something I have to remind myself to do. I find there are parts of the room I don't normally focus on.
I have shifted away from power points as I believe more interaction is lost than is gained. It's much easier and beneficial to walk around and gaze at their work to keep them included in the lectures.
Oscar,
this is true & additionally it also shows each student that I care about him/her & want them to be successful.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
