During a capstone course I teach, we play a trivia game relevant to their degree. It is fun and definitely helps maintain student attention.
i pass around broken parts and tell them how it happened and would they like to be able to diagnose what caused them
I agree this is a useful and respectful approach to re- capturing student attention. I have used this approach more than once with good results.
I know there are many different strategies... I have found that moving around the classroom from the front to the back while I continue to lecture is helpful...
I work in a classroom environment where each student has a computer workstation and one of the biggest challenges is keeping the them off of the "social networking" websites... Additionally the younger students are almost constantly sending and receiving text messages & a lot of times they are try to covertly caring on this activity...
Part of teaching in a "graphics arts" environment is conducting in-class production workshops... each student is working on completing an assigned project...
This is a brave-new-world... and the social media is not going away... and in a lot of ways it has become part of the fabric of our modern culture... How this type of communication evolves is still a bit of an unknown... but it is clear that this communication / information technology is forever embedded in a younger generation...
If the students are productive then I believe that allowing some social media activity is ok... but if they abuse the privilege they risk losing it...
One of the biggest challenges is keeping them focused on lectures and production workshops... the students are drawn to the computer like a moth to light... I have to constantly remind them to keep their hands off the keyboard and maintain eye contact with me...
There are times when I ask the students to move away from the computers push their chairs to the front of the classroom forming a circle so we can carry on a group discussions without distraction...
During lab time I like to make several trips around the kitchen for general supervision. When I notice students who seem to be slowing in production, I spend extra time close to their work station so they are aware that their production is being assessed. Remarkably, this works wonders.
On the first day of class I ask each student what they expect and want to learn in my class. I then work all their expectations into my daily lectures and demos. Getting them involed with my demos also helps.
I teach microsoft office applications. During the training portion of these programs it can seem very boring. I try to schedule an assignment as soon as possible so that they can use what they have learned and get a grade for something.
Hi David,
What do you generally pass around to get students attention, and how have your students reacted to this?
Patricia
I will often speak privately to the student outside of class to learn why. This gives them the opportunity to self-correct without intervention in the class room setting. I also lets the student know you care as the instructor that they are not getting their money's worth out of the course.
I keep students att by having things to pass around and have them think about what happened to it and what caused it when i see them loosing attention in the class also by telling real life situations about the subject matter also
Students rely on communication that will keep their attention span focused on those few minutes that are critical to learning. Inattentiveness in some students is a norm for them, these are the students that will test your preparation time.
I draw on the board, I use my map, I do cross comparisons, I make them laugh, I ask a lot of questions and time is ticking. Granted you will have the student that will have attention issues and you just try harder.....no one gets left behind.
I agree with going out on a tangent. I was having trouble stirring up discussion on the lecture material until I brought in a relevant article for the students to read. I had them pick out something that was interesting and it really helped engage the whole class.
Hi Mark,
What motivated you to incorporate these type of activities within the last two quarters? They are great activities to get students involved.
Patricia
Hi Warren,
It is always exciting and motivating to others whenever a student can talk about direct work experience based on the concept being taught. This makes for a very good discussion. Students really become engaged.
Patricia
As an automotive instructor I frequently use real world experience but I will also ask my class to relay any experience they may have had. Despite my 23 years in the feild I occassionally find students with expereinces that I have not had my self. This also demonstrates that they have something to contribute as well and gets them involved.
In the last two quarters I've incorporated more small group exercises, group discussion and student presentations that encourage inattentive students to actively participate, and be successful doing it.
Inattentive students often just need to be shown that contributing in class can be educational as well as enjoyable.
I use a 'round robin' method in class. During lecture times when questions are asked, the student next in line responds. I set this method up from day one so it is the students responsibility to know when their turn is. This has created an opportunity for those who are not so verbal or engaged to be alert and engaged.
So far, so good and those who are/were more shy open up a bit
Hi Keith,
Anytime there is a answer/question session students are typically interested. Students tend to be really alert during these sessions as well because they never know when they may be called on.
Patricia
Hi Keith,
You can really grab students attention whenever you share experiences that are applicable to the lesson. Students enjoy hearing stories. I love telling stories every appropriate opportunity I get.
Patricia
