I find that physical activity helps re-engage students. Most times this physical activity involves getting into small groups to accomplish a task or look at a specific problem. Sometimes we go to the computer lab or library.
Karen
When I find a student that seems unenthusiastic, usually I ask him/her to stay and talk to me after class to learn about the root cause of the problem. Each student is motivated differently...so after discovering what motivates them I tell them how my class can help them achieve their goal.
I usually just ask the student a direct question or ask them to help me understand what would engage them more. I let them know I want them to share whatever is keeping there attention. Students seem to appreciate the directness especially when it is done respectfully.
I find that by getting students to participate by asking them what their opinion is on the particular subject or what ideas they have with relation to the topic, it helps to refocus them. I always remind them that the work they are doing is for their own benefit not mine.
I find that by getting students to participate by asking them what their opinion is on the particular subject or what ideas they have with relation to the topic, it helps to refocus them. I always remind them that the work they are doing is for their own benefit not mine.
I try to speak with them outside of the class room to make sure I know how best to help
Hi Joshua:
These are great ideas. Additionally, the instructor can move around the class (if possible) during the lecture, bringing themself in closer proximity to the student.
Regards, Barry
Hi Bonnie:
Knowing our students is also a key to reingaging. Anticipating how students will respond or planning for the way a particular class receives instruction is invaluable.
Keeping interest involves including information the student finds important - that's where knowing your students really helps. Students will listen, pay attention, and get involved if they feel they will benefit from their effort, such as "it'll be on the test", or "you will use this information everyday in your work", etc.
Regards, Barry
One way would be to show how the topic applies to their chosen field of education and how it will help them build the foundation they need to be successful. I would meet with them one on one to explore the possibility that the field is not a good fit for them and if it is, to give them the encouragement and vision to see how it will benefit them.
Use the knowledge achieved up to that point in the class, and start a discussion in which the student can relate their experiences to what has been learned so far. By effectively facilitating a discussion, you are essentially "waking up" your students, and re-engaging them in the learning process.
Hi David:
It sounds like we're discussing specific activities to re-engage off task students.
An additional effective idea is to have the instructor navigate throughout the room, putting themselves in closer proximity to the students.
Regards, Barry
A dramatic clinical story with an incomplete ending serves as a springboard opportunity to re-engage the off-task student. A compelling life and death story usually works. Just be sure you're telling a TRUE story.
A couple of the ways that I get off-task students reengaged include asking an open-ended question based on our general topic or giving a quick verbal "pop-quiz" or knowledge check. I have also found that a quick divergence to a different topic (still contects to our overall theme) can bring them back.
Laureen
What is an "all skate"?
Laureen
Sometimes I will stop the class and implement a silly activity to get them engaged and refocused. For example, I will ask "What holiday songs are driving you crazy because you have heard them so much on the radio?" They yell out answers, I write them on the board, then we go back to our lesson a little bit more energized.
Hi Gail:
Another technique that might work well is having the instructor walk around the class while lecturing, bringing a closer proximity to the students.
Regards, Barry
I like to ask questions of students in class. IF someone is off-task, this helps to bring them back. Other things to do are to find projects or group work to make sure we are hitting all of the learning styles.
When I see that students are not paying attention during a lecture I use a number of techniques to reengage then. I start asking questions about what they think about the subject we are discussing. I will sometimes refer them to a section in the text that covers the material that we are discussing and point out relevant sentences.
I like to sub-divide the coarse of study to be worked on in groups for group answers and deliberation.
I can definitely read my students' non-verbal cues and see when I am losing them, especially during a lecture. Before it even gets to that point, I try to divide the lecture into sections. Between each section we will either do I hand out that I have prepared - a crossword puzzle or matching game - or do a case study together. Then I go on with the next portion of the lecture. Many of these students are working full time jobs during the day. They have families. They are struggling to even find the time to study. I would fall asleep too if an instructer just stood up there and read out of the book!
