transitioning between activities can really be a time waster. Students stall, ask for breaks, or simply ignore the prompting to move on to the next activity. I have observed many strategies to obtain studnet attention and manage transitions: raising a voice, flicking lights on and off, etc. I find the girl scout method most effective - it is quite and works quick. Simply raise your hand standing in the middel of the room and you will find student see you, stop talking and poke others to pay attention to you as well. Even better - train student to raise their hands when you take the pose. Happy student attention getting and transitioning from activity to activity. Thanks Girl Scout leader.
I think a clear way to capture a students attention is to have the class a more hands on approach to learning.
I also have had studentw who are tired and zoned out or just plain bored. I ususally try to engage all the students in real life discussions that thys find relevant. Then we try to find ways to return to the subject material that is relevant to them.
Be more creative with content. Set up something hands on or in a group setting that involves all and initiates fun with the learning.
Yes I have had zone out students. I will stop the material and talk about a real world task related to the material.
I try to plan activities when possible and use my background experience to derive a story related to the content. It breaks-up the class time and helps keep students engaged while preventing passive learning.
To capture the attention of inattentive students a teacher may change their approach or provide a more diversity in thier delivery style. The teacher may break the classe into small learning groups; provide less lecture and more visual aides and hands on demonistrations. The teacher needs to find out what does capture the student's attention.
I usually try to keep students engaged by starting discussions that pertain to the subject being presented that day. Also, assigning mini projects can help the more hands on students practice the lecture topics.
place them in charge of a study group, or have them responsible for a project
I liked the suggestion of having the student outline the topic of discussion for that day.
They will have to return to the chapters on their own and cover the material to write about something relevant.
I am constantly walking around the classroom and calling students at random to answer questions. This really helps because the students have to be paying attention at all times because they never know when I am going to ask them a question. I teach a computer class that allows lab hours and have one student in particular that will never stay focused on the task at hand so I will often times sit at an adjacent computer next to him. This seems to help him complete his assignments on time.
Start the lecture with a relevant story, recent news, or personal industry experience. Asking them their thoughts or opinions on the subject matter.
I try and always make sure we do some activity that get's them moving. Seems to work rather well.
I usually try to reel them in by making a good joke relating to course material, many times they become more interested.
You have to be as dynamic as possible. You have to get the students pysically involved with the lecture. Use the components to tell a story. Use real world examples. You have to put on a show. try to keep your lectures under 20min a block then do hands on or something to get them out of their seats and participate.
Likewise, I love to engage my students with questions. I challenge them with meaningful topics....even controversial. I am careful not force my values or beliefs on them and encourage the free flow of ideas. The one rule is that all opinions/speakers are respected. You don't have to agree with me or anyone else, but you must respect their right to their opinion. I often can even draw the quiet students into these discussions.
I have tried to get the background of my students before they get to this class and what brought them there. Then, when I think they may be losing interest, I try to explain an example from their background.
For example, I had a student once who came from an electrical background. I did some research one night to understand electrical flow. He seemed to be losing interest off and on. The next day, as I started lecture, I compared the flow of information in a medical chart to the flow of electricity with the payment of the claim being equal to the reception of light. He was engaged all day.
Perhaps this is a bit drastic, but it worked for this student. Sometimes, one student at a time is OK.
Hi Peter,
I concur! No one likes just sitting and listening all the time or the majority of the time. Let's get our students involved so that they become excited about the course.
Patricia Scales
Hi Ricmanuel,
When students are actively involved, quality learning is really taking place.
Patricia Scales
I teach an evening class, and by the end of the week and fast pace of their live and school work they are tired. bringing in all these new ideas will bring in new live at the end of the week.
