I have found eye contact show engagement, and allows the instructor to read verbal ques of their class but is awkward if it lasts longer the 2-3 sentences.
Darcie,
The eye contact really is so important to engaging our students & making sure they are with us.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In my last class I found myself having eye contact with a certain group in the room and it occured to me that maybe the other students might be affected by my lack of eye contact with them.
I too find that my students responf well to eye contact. I try to make contact with each student every class. There are a few students who try to hide.
Having brief eye contact gives the student a since of known, there in class and present, it can also let you know who is understanding the material
I always maintain eye contact with my students. I know from the fact, if they understand the lecture. I know if they're just pretending, sleepy and if they are with me. I would ask question to that student and they will not be able to answer. So, that means that I would go over again and this time make sure that they're focus.
Lisa,
yes & it really does help them stay accountable to what is being taught.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It acknowledges that the student is a part of the class and keeps them focused.
Kay,
this is a good reason for strong eye contact & it can be used to gauge general understanding of the concepts as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Eye contact is very important. The students feel like they matter as an individual and not as a group. I really enjoy having rapport with the students. AND for the most part they feel comfortable about coming and talking with me at any time.
Maintaining eye contact is very important. It keeps the students participating in the lecture and acknowledges the students' comprehension of the material.
For me it lets the less attentive students know that I am watching the entire class to note their participation.
Eye contact with students allows for them to feel as if they are a part of the class. Eye contact should be held for 2-3 seconds for each student.
Eye contact also helps build overall comaraderie within the classroom. I enjoy making eye contact and floating around the room from the first day of the course. I make an effort to stop by the desk of each student and comment on work in progress as well. I find eye contact during class time and lecture helps to pull students into the conversation. It helps to make them feel that their opinion and participation is welcome and a relevant part of the class/course.
Eye contact is an effective way for student and instructor to be able to non verbally communicate. If the student looks confused, I may elaborate a little more on that topic or ask questions to make sure everyone understands without calling out a specific student.
This is an excellent point. Eye contact allows the instructor to identify if the student is engaged or not and it also allows the student to know their attentiveness is appreciated.
Lets them know you are talking to them. Losing contact may let the student think you are not interested in them.
I feel that making eye contact with my students shows them that I care about their interaction in the class subject.
I enjoyed reading the earlier post. I have found that eye contact can help me see if a student understands, has a question or may be lost.
I also agree with some of the earlier posts, it can be used to draw students in and hopefully encourage them to ask questions.
Instructor should be mindful of the attention span of students in the classroom. Eye contact is a powerful tool and can be used to establish the instructor’s role and increase communication in the class room.
