Eugene,
Sometimes students just zone out for a host of reasons (ill, tired, bored, unprepared, don't care, distracted, day dreaming, etc). Our chore is to keep the class flowing, lively and interesting, and making sure we cover all the needed material. I'm not saying this is easy, but it is our job.
Barry Westling
Students like to play games. When I sense that students get off task, I play hangman with them. They have to choose terms from class and at the end the students have to define the terms. They like it because its the students who go up to the board and choose the words. I have also found a jeopardy game that can be played with a computer and a projector. Off course, you would have to have it already set up in class in case the students get off task to pull it out quickly. For the jeopardy game, you would have to create categories fitting your class material ahead of time as well.
By asking them how they're doing and what would help them to re-focus on the subject matter.
Angela,
I think if we keep the focus on how students will or can benefit from the information we are providing, they'll be more likely to pay attention. It's a version of "what's in it for me".
Barry Westling
Kelvin,
Sometimes students need just a little nudging to keep them on track. Asking questions, or even just standing next to them can break their distraction. Other times more significant change ups are needed (taking a break, changing activities, changing environments). Stories are always a good way to get student refocused.
Barry Westling
Group assignments, do something more than just lecture for example field trips, and guest speakers
I would show an interest in their personal success. talk through issues an relate positive changes in your life linked to the feild of study
Brian,
Nothing breaks a distracted student lack of focus better than being called on to answer a question. If done frequently, randomly with all class participants, and consistently in every class, students may soon begin to feel that they have to pay attention because more than likely, they're going to be called on. I do daily quizzes, and I will usually add at least one question that was answered by a student the previous day. In this way I try support and subtlety reward the students for thier contributions to the discussion.
Barry Westling
I like engage these students by asking them questions which are design to get their opinion about the topic being discuss - not to embarrass them, but get them reengaged into the class. Once they are reengaged, I guided them with questions which are designed to have them develop arguments which use critical thinking to defend they opinions. This usually leads to wonderful fully engage classroom discussion where everybody is involved.
Jaclyn,
These are all good methods. I like to think "as a student would feel" if I were taking my own class. More difficult material is carefully delivered in segments, with supporting activities mixed in to keep students involved and participating.
Barry Westling
I notice in my science class when a lot of information has been given the students will tend to gloss over a bit. I find moving away from the lecture power point to a group discussion helps bring them back to life. Some times they need a short break and are refreshed when they come back. Also sharing my own experiences especially humorous ones seems to go over really well.
Christopher,
Creating a presence as you describe can be effective in many cases. There are times students are just unruly, and more aggressive techniques are needed, such as asking students to stop the chatter, asking specific students questions when they begin to lose attention, or even taking a mental break ( like one minute), then returning to the topic. In the extreme, it may be necessary to even change activities rather than waste everybody's time. I also try to be real -- if something occurs that is humorous, I join in the laughter of the moment, then get back to business.
Barry Westling
I believe I have a rapport with my students. When a side-joke is cracked or a private conversation is being conducted, just my sidling up their row and sitting on the desk next to them is enough to re-direct their attention.
Maryl,
There are probably dozens of methods or activities that can tried when your students begin to get off task. I think creating a climate in the classroom that reinforces the notion students are there for learning is one important principle. Thinking about how our students may feel about the topics, and then approaching the instruction from that perspective is also important. That's the "what's in it for me" principle (WIIFM). With these tenets your creative ideas for keeping students engaged should be very effective.
Barry Westling
The students laugh about the way I allow them to wander off topic briefly, and then redirect them back to topic. I am going to work on other ways to teach and reinforce the material besides just going through the powerpoint presentation. So far we have been going slow, but we were also getting to know each other. I would like to speed up the pace for the lecture/powerpoint presentation, and have time for games, role play, case studies, etc.
Richard,
Yes, these are good strategies. Variety and frequent change ups help keep a flow of information without becoming a longer session, where students begin to lose their focus. Instructors can develop a sense of their class and determine if everyone is fully engaged. When not, that is a time to vary the activity, which doesn't mean mean changing subjects, just switching to an alternate way of presentation or delivery.
Barry Westling
To reengage students the instructor could introduce an activity, change subjects, or encourage participation by asking questions.
Gracie,
I agree. Students (and most people) can think a lot faster than an instructor can talk, so it takes effort and planning to try to keep students engaged. Variety, using different media and activities are examples of good ways to keep anxious minds learning! Your examples are good ones too.
Barry Westling
I find that changing your mode of delivery can re-engage students sometimes. You can switch from a powerpoint presentation to a video....or even assign a group project. Or you can switch to a diagram you draw on the board. If you differentiate instruction, it can help keep the students engaged and keep their attention on the task at hand.
Tim,
Great. Asking questions and getting students involved with discussion is one of the better (and preferred) methods to reengage distracted or off track students.
Barry Westling
