I feel that maintaining eye contact with a student not only shows us as the instructor how interested the students are but can give us personal feedback on how we are getting the material across to the students.
Stefano,
this is definitely true & helps to encourage their participation in the future.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Renee,
I think you hit on an important aspect of eye contact here. Just as we depend on the responses of our students, they also depend on our facial reactions for their feedback.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Direct eye contact is also valuable when students are answering a question that you have asked in class. I think students will feel their response has been acknowledged, even if a technical correction is necessary.
Eye contact from an instructor makes the student aware that they are also being observed as an individual within the classroom setting - yes, it also shows a mutual level of respect and a sense of belonging, too. As an instructor I value the facial expressions and what a student is doing while I lecture so that I know how effective I am being to the group. I also feel that if a student is unable to respond to your eye contact it makes me wonder what they are "thinking about" and if it is even what I am trying to help them learn!
Carrie,
you are right that this adds a level of accountability & also makes ourselves available.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The value of having eye contact with students is establishing and maintaining a connection with each student.
First - it makes the student know they are important to me
Second - Because I teach many students who are not native English speakers it allows me to gauge their comprehension of what I am saying
For me the eye contact keeps the students focused on what the subject that I am lecturing about.
Jenny,
it really does seem to open a door for the student to approach the instructor when needed.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The students feel more comfortable and more willing to pay attention if they know that the teacher is noticing them. Also it keeps the teacher aware of the students who aren't paying attention and taking notes.
Having eye contact helps to create a rapport with the student. It let's the student know that you have acknowledge them as a participate in the course.
It also help you to access early on if the student has a learning disability.In this case simply ask the student how can you assist them to better understand the assignments.
Maintaining eye contact allows a student to feel reassured that the instructor cares about him or her. Simultaneously it allows the student to make connection with the instructor.
Kay,
so true. It really does help us engage them & also, as you said, determine if they are with us or not.
Dr. Ryan Meers
eye contact engages all students in your discussion. 2 to 3 seconds is adequate
Maintaining eye contact with students is important: it acknowledges them and when they are speaking it conveys you are listening to them.
At times, "the eyes are the window to the soul" and can tell you if there are issues, etc.
Thanks for this discussion.
chris,
it is a great way to keep the students focused & "with you" in the course of the lecture.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Denise,
I'm glad you see the value. I think you'll find in time that the effort is worth it.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Eye contact ensures that students are engaged and hopefully retaining lecture material being given.
I still find that making eye contact with students for 2 to 3 seconds is a challenge for me as a first time instructor. But its a good tactic to practice and become use to.
