I place a value on what this lesson is about and how important it is to remember some points
Hi Regina,
I make it a point to call on everyone in my classes daily. Students seem to pay better attention when they know at some point they will be called upon.
Patricia
I have learned how to ask a lot of questions and try to call on everyone. I also ask how many people by hands undestand. Those who do follow, I ask do they have anything they want to add.
When students are being disruptive, I sometimes just stop talking completely until they calm down and are quiet. Is this a good strategy?
It depends on the student as to the approach I would use. Our program is two years long and that gives me an opprotunity to really get to know my students. I become more like a father figure sometimes with the students. Usually all I have to do is make eye contact with the student and they, at least, try and act like they are paying attention. Other times, I think it might be my fault and maybe I have even gotten a little bored with the topic. Those times I stop the lecture and try and bring relevance to the topic I am lecturing on. I will usually do this by telling a story of an experience in my past where this information played an important role in my career. I try and make it either a funny story or a very moving story. It usually works on the students and me. I have been teaching for 37 years so I have a lot of experiences to draw on.
Bill
Hi Evan,
I am very loud and enthusiastic! I have been told that I have a natural way of grabbing student's attention. I also like to share experiences that are applicable to the lesson to capture students attention.
Patricia
Hi David,
I have used this tactic as well. It generally works. Once they know you are aware that they are not focusing, they tend to perk up.
Suprising state changes can grab the inattentive long enough to regain their interest
Use a hook that captures their asttention and segway it into the main concept of what will be learned
During lecture, I will sometimes continue to lecture from the back of the classroom or near the inattentive student. I can then closer monitor the student more closely. If the student continues to be inattentive, I will ask a question to the group and then ask the person to answer.
The chats at our school are voluntary, so people who don't want to engage in class just don't show up. However, I do have an obligation to keep students' attention while I am teaching. I ask open ended questions for discussions. I try relate new material to current events, as well.
Hi Faith,
I like the idea of the squishy ball. I can see how this will work for all students. I typically, sporadically, call on every student within each class period; this keeps them on their toes.
Patricia
Hi Carol,
The question poised to students "What do you expect to get out of the course?" is an excellent attention grabber as well as brain ponder. It is amazing based on some of the responses you will get. The questions make for an excellent conversation piece.
Patricia
Hi Amy,
Instructors must be able to engage students. Students need to participate. In all my classes I have a 5% participation grade. Students are encouraged by this standard percentage.
Patricia
I like to ask students what do they expect to get out of the course and how can it be more meaningful for them. I use the syllabus to draw examples of life experiences that may bring a student to be motivated to learn more. For example, If one of the objectives has been to use therapeutic communication. Has anyone in the class had someone ask you questions saying "Tell me more about this or that? or anyone ask you to clarify a word or comment that was said?
How many have had a jargon that was used with friends and classmates but others didn't know what it meant?
I always try to interject personal stories that bring the lecture to life for students. I always see them perk up when I begin telling a story from personal experience.
I try to keep my students attention by using relevant real life experiences in with the topics being discussed. I also use my sense of humor to keep them interested in the topic, pictures, and I have the students to do role plays, and talk about their experiences if it relates.
I think the best way to capture students's attention is to get them involved. Any time you can get students actively participating in a class you will capture their attention. Group activities and discussions where all students are required to participate work well for this.
I use a squishy ball that can be passed (thrown) to the student and they have to answer the question that is asked. I have found this to work well with both inattentive students and the center-of-attention students. I also have done that we go around the room and they answer the questions when it is there turn.
Hi Gregory,
You're right! It seems like once they are caught off gaurd, they don't want to be caught off guard again. They begin to pay attention to what's going on.
Patricia
