Texting is a big problem in the classroom and a huge distraction. I make it clear from the first day that they are not allowed to have their phones out at all during class time. However, there are always one or two students that cannot resist the urge to text. Sometimes if we are having a class discussion and these students are distracted I will ask them to look something up on google...most of them have internet access on their phones. This gets them involved in the subject and back on track.
My classes are 5 hours in length. Last term I made an exel program with 5 blocks one for each hour.In each block i placed a theme or topics I needed to cover. I challenge the students to take responsibility for their own actions. I accomplish this by walking establishing class rules,walking around the class room and giving 'pop' quizes. Pop quizes act as an participation grade which has a percentage attached directly to their final grade. There is no makeup for these quizes so students who come to class and pay attention have an opportunity to make a better grade.
The best way I found out to catach the attention of students who are rowdy or talking too much is to turn my back to the student and make small circles on the board they can't see and continue to do this until there is silence... works every time no matter how often I do it sometimes it squares etc.
Hi Pascha,
I can tell you really brainstorm so that your students are not bored. You use a variety of teaching methods, and I am sure your students are really engaged in your lessons.
Patricia
Self evaluation is something I look at with inattentive students. I evaluate my teaching methods and/or content to see if anything can be changed or modified to meet the needs of that particular student.
I always step back and look at myself and what are ways or things that I can do to make my lectures more exciting so that my students don't become bored. I always insert a joke or real-life examples or stories so that the students can take a small break from writing and really listen to what we are discussing. I also incorporate as much group work as I can, this also seems to assist with boredom in my classes.
Hi John,
Make an assignment applicable to the lesson where the students can use the internet via cell phone. Allow the students to take notes utlizing notepad on their cell phone. If the assignment is math related allow the students to use the calculator on the cell phone.
Patricia
Hi Kleinkauf,
You are right! We have to keep inattentive students on their toes by letting them know that they are subject to be called upon at any given moment.
Patricia
I always incorporate class discussion. I randomly call out students during every class session seeking examples from their lives that play a role in the course content that is being gone over. By doing this everyday, and calling on students randomly, inattentive students pay a little more attention and at the same time, do not feel that I am calling them out for not paying attention.
Some ways you can capture the attention of inattentive students are:always include that student in a group, partner the student with a buddy, ask the student what is their opinion on the subject matter at hand.
I actually ask them about the texting ("It's my girlfriend... it's my mother..."), then I say, "I'd really like to include these mobile devices more in our class. How can we?"
Hi Henry,
I agree, students tend to be way more alert whenever they know that the instructor will circulate the room.
Patricia
I feel that walking around when lecturing keeps students on their feet. Also, asking students their thoughts always remembering to ask those inattentive students questions.
I like to keep my class interactive and often throw in discussions that are relevant to the topic discussed. This keeps all my students engaged. I also ask certain critical thinking questions and let them know if they are capable of answering they can get an extra credit point on the next quiz or test. These techniques usually keep my students engaged and alert.
Hi Monica,
Your students should appreciate your leniency in this area. In order to make your rule appear REAL to your students, you need to reprimand them based on the first offense. In the real world the boss is not going to continue to give them breaks.
Patricia
Hi Sultana,
Pop quizzes are a sure way to force students to pay attention in class. Pop quizzes keep students on their toes; they never know when a quiz will pop up.
Patricia
giving them pop quiz on the topic which was just dicussed in the class
I have preferred using the non-verbal approach. I have a rule in my classroom that there should be no cell phones, phone calls, texting, etc. during my instruction time. If i see a student violating this policy the first time, I casually walk over to their desk as i am instructing and kind of hover over them. If it starts to happen multiple times, I may wait until a student starts working on classwork and then quietly talk to the student about the rules in my class and may remind them of any consequences that were set forth at the beginning of the semester.
I try to make my class more interested and challenging, i also keep students attention by calling each student name randomly to answer the question i have for them. No student wants to look stupid and answer the question wrong because they wasn't paying attention. So this will defenitely keep them alert.
I try to make my class more interested and challenging, i also keep students attention by calling each student name randomly to answer the question i have for them. No student wants to look stupid and answer the question wrong because they wasn't paying attention. So this will defenitely keep them alert.
