Assign them a small part to do in the next class. Ex. Summarize a small topic, report on an article related to the concept being discussed.
I get students involved in the classroom by presenting preactical scenarios that relate to the course.
I can call on them personally to participate.
Hi William,
What do you do to hold their attention during lecture time if they are unfocused?
Patricia
Hi Neil,
What a way to get them to pay attention. How effective has this been to allow a student to teach a concept to other students? Are the students grasping the information?
Patricia
Hi Eileen,
Students enjoy hearing professional stories from the instructor. Anytime the opportunity presents itself to share a professional experience, the instructor should do so.
Patricia
I use team collaboration regularly. As stated in the lesson, the inattentive student displays a stronger commitment to peers.
create a small group fun competition and have each student provide part of the answer
I always try and call on students during lecture. If I see a student who is not paying attention I will try and call on someone who is first and then move to the back of the class. It gives them an opportunity to get themselves together because I may call on them, without the embarracement of possibly being called on and not being prepared.
Inattentive students are basically bored and not interested. They dont see the relevance of topic so to capture their attention you have to relate it to their everyday life. Group discussions and activities are also great ideas because they would be motivated by group members to get involved.
Using tooth models or discussing situations from my own experience in dental offices will usually get their attention. Dental Hygiene students also love to have guest speakers from the world of dentistry (practicing hygienists or specialists such as endodontists)
If all else fails, I will go to the back or side of the room and stand by the inattentive student(s)
I try very hard to maintain a steady rythym in class with flexible transitioning from one topic to the next and it has been most helpful. inattentive students usually have to perk up to keep up! I don't make hard transitions but I do make them flexible enough for adult learners.
I have found that using humor in my discussion really keeps my students engaged. It lightens the mood of the class and seems to keep unwanted chatter at a minimum. I also like to engage the students in "controversial discussion". Many aspects of the courses I teach have controversial aspects to them. By soliciting this type of discussion, I find the students who tend to shy away from participation fully immerse themselves. This is really enjoyable to see.
I find this to be true. My students enjoy the humorous antedotes and life lessons. It gives them a picture of their career field and what they have to look forward to-the challenges and the rewards!
I move around the room constantly during lecture. I frequently position myself next to the inattentive students during lecture. They immediately perk up or put away cell phones and other distractions.
One of the classes I teach is advanced trouble shooting. When I have a student who is not participating within the daily activities, I call on them to lead the instruction for the material at hand. If it is during open study time covering multiple assignments I will pick out an assignment for them to demonstrate on the white board.
Ilike to start off by showing the how important what we are going to talk about is. I also throw in some shock stats and some sort of shock factor.
What I find that really helps me grab the attention of my students is to become anitated. I don't choose to stand behind the pedestil and just talk. I use what ever I have it could be as simple as copies of main topics that I use to make a point or drawing that let the students know what I am talking about and why. When instructind I make a point of showing them a not only what I expect of them but how to acquire the information and how to hold on to it by making sense of it in their real life job as well as career. They must have a reason to listen to what I have to say and the only way to keep them captured is to always be motivating them to learn. With all the skills that I have
I really think that given examples of people that have help me in school and the field works very well. I think students respond to these stories and help them to cope in their situations.
get them involded with the discussion and move around the class.
