I try to limit their distractions, such as prohibiting cell phone and computer use if not needed during class, and I walk around the class room and also periodically ask students for input as to how the class is progressing.
Walking around the classroom can help capture the attention of inattentive students. Asking questions throughout the discussion can also capture the attention of those students.
Hi Sarah,
When students are made to be held accountable, they tend to focus in more as to what is going on.
Patricia
I really like the idea of having guest lecturers come into class and explain some of their real world experiences. I think the more engaging the speaker, the better. Students respond to changes in the environment, and having a guest lecturer or speaker come in is one way to do so.
I also like the idea of having students summarize what we just learned in class and randomly calling on students to read their summaries, perhaps for participation points. This will add value to the course as well as require that the inattentive students pay more attention so they do not lose out on points.
Hi George,
Real biggie! Students do not like being read to. Do NOT read from the book or your lecture notes.
Patricia
I like to engage the students in group work.
I do something similar. I ask about their backgrounds(what field are they working in) or what program they are in at the beginning of class so I can tailor comments or even questions to their interests or knowledge level.
On your idea, do you verbally go over them or have them write them down?
Moving arround while lecturing will usually capture the attention of *most* inattentive students. You'll still find one or two who will require a private conversation to dispel their inattentiveness (in my case, this is typically "surfing the web").
Don't read your lectures - make your lectures sound like a natural conversation between you and the student(s).
i have done is have them read from power points and after each chater break in to groups and write about a specific subject that they learned
what i usually do is when i use power points i have them read and ill explain after words
I will ask each student to answer a study question so as to not single out the inattentive students.
Hi Larry,
Being mobile and energetic help keep students attention.
Patricia
It can be difficult to keep them captured and I too walk around the room to observe whats going on. This keeps side conversations to a minimum and I can quiz them at random.
Reward system based on answering questions based on the lecture. After 10 minutes or so of lecture (I use powerpoint) I like to throw out a couple questions about the material, with candy as a reward.
Movement works, and also gearing your personal experiences in the workforce helps to keep interest, and add enthusiasm to the lesson
To capture the attention of an inattentive student, I would ask the student to repeat what I just said. If she /he can repeat what I have just said, to me would indicate that the student was paying attention. If the student could not repeat what I just said, I would repeat it to him/her and than ask the student to verbally participate in the class by reading his/her textbook or the power point slide.
The method that I use to capture student attention varies. I move throughout the classroom while lecturing and also involve the students in the discussion. At the first class meeting I tell the students that key points of the lecture will be emphasized by certain "catch phrases". For example, "you should remember this, you will see this again". This allows even the most inattentive student to pay special attention to the key points in the lecture. I also assign individual tasks and team tasks in which every member is required to be involved.
Hi Mike,
Student involvement is always a good way to capture students attention. Idle time can certainly get students in trouble.
Patricia
Get them invoved in the class projects of the class.
Here are a few ways to get students’ attention and prevent disconnect at the beginning of class:
• Appeal to their senses. Instructional strategies to gain attention could be a demonstration, music, a large sign with information or a symbol, or a colorful display.
• Create an element of surprise. For example, novelty and incongruity are incorporated, A Spanish professor I know uses novelty and incongruity to begin an intermediate-level class. He comes in dressed as a bandit and “robs” several students. He later returns as a police officer and asks for a description of the bandit. He integrates this opening into a lesson that aims to help students distinguish between two different verb tenses.
• Use humor or emotion to capture attention. Though my joke-telling skills are limited, I have been successful in using an array of cartoons and comic strips to orient a class to a topic.
• Other strategies that depend on emotionality include those that personalize an opening by integrating student names into a story, question, or puzzle; current local media topics; or relevant campus issues.
