It depends a lot on whether it is just one student or if it is a group of students. If it is one student I usually do the "walk around the room and lecture" but if it a group of students then I will do a small in-class activity for review.
Hi Amy,
A dark room during PowerPoint presenation does not help the situation for tired students. I like the idea of having one light on, if possible. I sometimes keep the light on peroid.
Patricia
Hi Scott,
Visual helps with keeping students alert and add clarity.
Patricia
I find in my class environments that having our lab right next to our classroom is a giant aid. If I feel I me be losing a few students to sllepy eyes. I will have the class move to the lab environment where i can continue our topic of discussion, but have the students see and put their hands on what we are talking about.
Hi Jessica,
Making a student feel a part of the discussion is a sure way to keep them focused. No one likes being caught off guard.
Patricia
One way to get their attention would be to go over to that area of the room in hopes that they notice where you are and put away whatever is the distraction. You could break the room into small groups and do a group activity. Or you could call on them and get their opinion on the subject, make them a part of the discussion.
My supervising teacher while I was student teaching said something that has stayed with me. She said, "Doing is learning". It seems simple but it's true. I never lecture for more than 15-20 minutes without giving them somehthing to do that refers to the lecture I just presented. This always keeps their attention.
We have two hour classes; if I see that more than one student is losing attention, I do a number of things...anywhere from keeping one light on during the power point presentation to a group activity to stopping all together to get up and stretch, keep the blood moving. When getting back to lecture, I have them remind me where I left off so I can verify I didn't loose too much attention:)
In order to capture the students attention, they have to know that you care about them as an individual. The instruction gave a great example to accomplish this. In order to gain students attention you must know there names by day two, and you must pull them into discussion directly by asking questions. Engaging students in a personal, direct manner will keep them more alert. You must always walk the class as well. Finding yourself lecturing from one place in the classroom causes students to drift. You must also use real life examples as to how the content of the course will help them become efficient providers/individuals in the workforce. Lastly, you must monitor the use of cell phones in the classroom. I ask them to put it away by giving a warning, and if they continue to use the device I will collect it.
Hi Evelyn,
Interaction is a good way to keep students focused. Active learning is what students are most interested in.
Patricia
To capture the attention of inattentive students, I rely on interactive activities. Instead of lecturing about a subject, I have the students complete graded assignments individually or in groups. Because the assignments will affect their final grade, students are more likely to stay focused. I find that the group assignments also help students stay engaged because they are able to interact with other students and share ideas.
Hi Norman,
A great way to grab a student's attention is to ask them a question pertaining to the lesson. No one likes being caught off guard. This is a way to force students to pay attention.
Patricia
Hi Rick,
Students need to be kept busy at all times so that they do not have time to get on social websites, text, call folks, etc.
Patricia
I find that frequently asking inattentive students to give examples of how a newly-discussed concept can be applied to their personal, daily lives makes them more involved - partly because they are being asked for input in the subject matter, and partly because they get to realize that paying attention will make them less awkward when they are called again.
At times during the lecture, I have called upon a student that I know isn't paying attention a question regarding material presently covered. Most times the student will ask what the question is again. I will then politely repeat my question. if the student is not sure I will then call upon any one who can answer the question. Generally the student who was first called upon will start paying attention, especialy if random question are asked from additional students.
Karen,
I often have what you have put in my syllabus so I can set the stage.
At the beginng on class every day I ask my students including myself to take out thie phone and we turn them off together. Then I make sure that a point of contact has th eschool # in the event of a problem. I use alot of different methods when teaching to capture all of my students.I use alot of guest speakers.
Since technology is very pervasive it makes since that it would eventually find its way into the classroom. While it is wonderful to have many means of communciation and presentation, students now have access to new technology as well. I have found that the two main forms that have infiltrated my class are texting and Facebook.
I try to have discussion going in the classroom and include all students as much as possible. I have also found that if I let students know I am watching, the bad behavior tends to subside. My last resort is to ask them to leave my class.
The first thing we do is MOVE in the classroom. a little phyical activity helps re-energize the brain. Secondly, using an open ended scenario to discuss and problem solve in small groups and assigning the inattentive student to be the reporter to the class makes a difference in his/her level of involvement.
Changing positions,voice inflections and volumn also grabs the student's attention, at least for a while. Never teach from the same spot twice. What is the front of the room today may be the back of the room tomorrow. Arranging chairs and tables in a circle limits the students ability to "hide." Use of socratic seminars keep students engaged as well. I even put popcicle sticks in a cup one with each student's name and randomly pull one out for discussions and I call on the name written on the stick.(Very elementary but it works!) It keeps students more alert and engaged. If all else fails, I stop the class and seek feedback from everyone as to how to make the lecture, material, etc. have more meaning for them and then have a student model what it looks like for me and the rest of the class. Because students never know what I may do next,the inattention is greatly reduced.
Dr. Sandy Gecewicz
As an instructor I always walk the room to get the students full attention during class. I have a zero tolerance for students that are texting and or using their cell phones while class is in session. As the instructor I Believe that I stimulate the class by using my body language, pitch and tone of my voice, and eye contact to get the student attention in class. As the instructor I have to be engaged and encourage the student to participate. Sometimes I have to talk to the inattentive student after class, and find out why the student seems to be uninterested in participating in class.
