Hello Donna,
I find your approach interesting and I am curious how it works for you? I don't have the opportunity to do this with my online courses, since the content is delivered in a specific manner for my University.
Do you think this approach would have any affect on how the students percieve you, such as the students wondering if you are asking for activities because you could be unprepared. Just a curiousity question, nothing more or less. Thanks, Chris Graves.
Hello Earnest,
You show some good methods for capturing attention. I like the "greeting them on their arrival" comment because it shows that you are heading off the issue before it becomes and issue. Moving around the room is also a good way to show your presence and let the students know you are seeing if they are paying attention. Good Job, Chris Graves.
There are several ways I could capture the attention of inattentive students. I thing I like to do the most is to involve inattentive students by asking them questions about what is being taught, what has been taught, and where they think the discussion will go. This helps me alert the student that I am in class, teaching, and expecting participation.
Although I don't always have the ability to do this online, when I have the chance I like to place the students into small groups and have them work through a problem. I like this method because it puts the discussion directly into the student’s hands, and in most cases they gain confidence in themselves because they are structuring their conversation.
As a new teacher, I really appreciate this list! I am going to take these suggestions on board. I especially note your empahsis on being sensitive to the student's situation and problems.
Moving around the class and use visual objects helps keep student attention longer and makes your class more interesting.
Hi,
This is my second quarter teaching and its been a journey. I've incorporated group activities and online discussions for my Information Systems class. This I believe would give students an eagerness to learn and be excited about the course.
You can have visual aides so they can have something to look at. I do move around alot, and I get the class to stand up and come to the other side of the class to see a hands on visual aide.
Some ways I find that are useful to capture student attention are:
1.Greeting them on their arrival
2. Speaking in a confident tone of voice
3. Making frequent eye contact.
4. Moving about the room as you speak.
Earnest J. Kendall Instructor/Associate
It's a little "old school", but I write notes on the Smartboard. The class copies down the notes. They know that what is written on the board is important information. I love doing it, because it forces them to pay attention. It gives them something to do besides just stare at me during the lecture. I ask a lot of questions and encourage a lot of participation as well. I'm also very energetic, which helps keep their attention. But the notes also help "repeat" the information into their brain another time. They tell me that they enjoy it.
Hi Fedele,
You are right! These are certainly tactics to utilize to keep students alert. I randomly call on all of my students every day.
Patricia
I like to move around the room constantly, I find that the movement keeps the students focused on me. I also like to constantly ask the class questions about what I just said, this makes unattentive students realize they may be called on at any moment and they pay closer attention.
Hi Candy,
I concur! Add variety to teaching, thus adding flavor. Use PowerPoint presentations, the internet, role play, lecture, group activities, activites, etc. to keep students excited about learning.
Patricia
I move around the room constantly, and as I am lecturing I consistently ask each student to give their "opinion or perception" of what was presented and how they can relate it to their life experience or "personalize" the information. Many students learn from the "personal experiences" of their peers if they have not actually experienced such an event themselves. It helps to create a possible scenario of events that each student can learn from.
When I am introducing a new subject, I like to use a power point to keep me on tract. I do not teach by reading the power point but by sharing life experiences, ideas from previous classes and more, to keep it interesting. Reading directly from a power point can be quite boring. I think I would lose interest myself as the instructor.
I also use hands on activities in each class. I do not have my students sitting for 120 minutes at a time. I get them up and get them moving in hands on activities. Fun stuff, but things that they are learning from and don't even realize it.
Thanks George,I am a new instructor and will keep your examples in mind. I think the more variety used in teaching it will help hold students attention. There is nothing more boring then having an instructor hang on to a podium and lecture the whole class in a monotone voice droaning on and on and on...
Hi Jennifer,
Yes! On your feet and teaching with great energy.
Patricia
I like to use pneumatic devices and walking around the room to capture attention of students.
I do a lot of moving around the room. I also use a software program which allows instructors to view what sudents are doing on the computer on their desk. If necessary I can take control of of any or all computers in the classroom. I find that once students are aware that I can watch and/or control what they are doing with their computer the "surfing" goes away almost completely. I also call on students randomly with questions pertaining to the topic we are working with. Since my classes are a 5 hour one evening a week class we also take frequent short breaks to allow all the students and my self to re-charge and begin the next segment refreshed.
The best way I have found to keep students attention is like you move aruond,but I will from time to time show them some tricks I have done in the field,like simple use of a tool, or I will short something out so that the curiosity will be satisfied, I only do this at a certain distance, I will also stop short on a subject and then pick it up on the next class show that if they are interested they will come to class the next day to get the rest of the lecture.
Tracy
I agree that mobility is the key to capturing the attention of students. Your proximity will keep them alert.
