Use of dofferent strategies for teaching, such as create games or scenarios where they have to apply lessons from discussion. As an instructor it is important to keep things moving, even though time needs to be spent on material it is important to keep a flow going. Another method is hands on especially in anatomy, if students can actually see or experience what they are learning they will retain it longer.
Different way that you can engage inattentive students to be get them involved in class. There may be a section that you are teaching and that they understand so I have them help me explain it to their classmates. This gets them more involved and it makes them feel like they are apart of the class.
Evaluate your lesson plans to see if the material is interesting and relavant. You could set up a time outside of class time to meet with the student to discuss the reasons why they are inattenive. You could also rearrange the seating assignments.
Hi David,
We have to make our students accountable. Ask questions during a lecture and/or at the end to encourage students to stay focused.
Patricia Scales
Capturing the student’s attention, in my opinion, requires that the instructor monitors the class as well as giving a lecture. Creating a discussion and getting the student involved and brings the student back in focus. If all else fails, the student will feel the need to pay attention if they are going to be asked questions.
This just sparked an idea that I really look forward to trying out!
I teach the design and production of sound effects and music for video games. One of the most familiar examples of this type of work is the creation of an "adaptive soundtrack": picture a musical score that changes in intensity to reflect moment-to-moment changes in the on-screen action.
I'm going to design an adaptive soundtrack to be used during class discussion. It will change in intensity according to (my evaluation of) the level of discussion. In addition to providing a demonstration of the principle design concept, the novelty of the experience might help spark some of the normally quiet students to get involved.
In agreement with Brad, I too get my students doing something. I teach three classes of didactic nursing classes. I find using multimedia keeps the most inattentive student interested; given it is relevant and current. Higher education is experiencing a paradigm shift from teaching to learning and media has the potential to support and enhance the learning experience. As stated in our reading, most of the inattentive students are the younger learners transitioning from high school to college; I would expect them to pay more attention to a screen rather than me. By mixing up the teaching styles, changing the pace, and integrating high tech multimedia into the class brings the excitement back into the classroom. I limit my power points. I feel as if they should be a review method not the primary source of the content. Once I had my students’ present a new concept without any power points. They used music, wrote poems & songs, instructed an origami exercise, constructed games, and one group make a movie. I open up the class with suggestions and close the class with awe in appreciation of their creativity.
One of the best methods I have used for dealing with inattentive students is to stop the class lecture and shift to group activities, or any activity that requires student engagement. For example, I may give a 10-minute assignment, which requires each student to answer one assigned question, and present their findings to the class once complete. This can be very beneficial for keeping everyone engaged and actively participating.
Experential learning is my favorite tool. If I can get the students involved in a game or interactive learning environment it will grab their attention and make them participate.
I have had success talking one on one with these students. Many of the returning military (deployed) students need someone to listen and understand, why they are there. Just listening their stories creates a bond, and increases their desire to do well in class.
I spend a lot of time planning my lessons. Objectives and goals are well outlined. Most of my classes are interactive and very engaging.
My students seem to love debating hot medical issues for the week. I do them early in the morning and I have noticed the students that come in late start to arrive on time.
Some times during a lecture I will throw in a game of Jeopardy this makes learning fun and it stimulates the brain and believe me it captures the student attention
Hi Michelle,
Students are more incline to participate when they know that points will be given. We have a participation grade in every course at my school that allows students to receive up to 5 points.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jorge,
Super! I like the idea of how you pre-engage inattentive students to encourage them to participate in the lesson.
Patricia Scales
Good ways to capture student attention are to create group assignments, ask questions and talk to inattentive students privately.
My students get participation points for class. They are given 2 cards each of which represents 5 points. In order to earn their points they must ask questions, answer questions or make remarks. Each time they do this they hand me their card with with their name on it. Anyone who has cards left have to give them to me after class which gives me a change to question, coach and communicate with the student one on one. I just love the idea of having them write a short recap about what the class was about also!!!
I agree. I incorporate a quick interactive sessions where we either role -play, act-out assessments discussed or use technology to answer questions.
I try to engage inattentive students individually before class. A brief conversation about a topic that will be covered in class shows them that I feel the topic is important enough to discuss even casually. This also gives me the opportunity to call on them during lecture so that they may share what we talked about earlier.
While lecturing, I like to walk around the class. I've found some students putting their phones away and pretending to pay attention; I like to ask questions and get the students involved during lectures; I remind the students of the quiz that will be given at the end of class.
