Maintaining eye contact with students is just as important as memorizing students' names. It makes them feel like they are part of "the club" and not just a number. This creates an atmosphere of participation as opposed to observation.
I agree. The student actually feels even though there are many of them but you still give them the individual attention that they need.
Eye contact usually creates a honest rapport with a student. It also can make a student uncomfortable if eye contact is made for a significant amaount of time. Eye contact can be great for redirecting student's behavior without having to get into a verbal confrontation. Such a student texting during lecture.
I agree with all that has been said on here about making the student feel like an important part of the discussion. Eye contact really seems to make those students who are participating like a valued member of the conversation, but i also use eye contact to draw the more shy students into the discussion. I feel direct eye contact also can give me a reading of the level of understanding my students have on the more complicated materials. If I see a confused look, I make sure to go back over the material one more time.
I have had to learn that eye contact is important in every aspect of life. I have multiple jobs and responsibilities. Eye contact is vital in each one. It finally registered at one point that people want to feel important/significant. When I concentrate totally on them for a brief period they feel that importance. Eye contact is the best way to show that importance/significance. It is what I expect so I should be expected to respond in kind.
I like to have eye contact with my students. By looking at them I can see who is engaged in the lecture. For the ones who are not paying attention to the lecture I can draw them in when I give them eye contact.
I FIND JUST LIKE I READ EARLIER IN THIS SESSION. THAT LOOKING AROUND THE ROOM MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, HELPS ME KNOW WHO IS LISTENING, WHO UNDERSTANDS, WHO IS CONFUSED. AND JUST LIKE THIS SESSION STATED I HAVE A FEW STUDENTS THAT I CAN HAVE EYE CONTACT WITH THAT LET ME KNOW. THAT WHAT I AM TEACHING IS ON POINT BECAUSE THEY ARE NODDING IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT I SAY, AND THEY CAN REPEAT IT BACK ALMOST WORD FOR WORD TO HELP A STUDENT BESIDE THEM WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND.
Students will feel as if they are part of your lecture and keeps them more focused
As all the answers below show, eye contact is invaluable in making students feel they are an important part of the class itself and of the learning environment. Eye contact also shows that the instructor is confident in his or her abilities, knowledge, teaching methods, and self. As a grad student, I had a professor who never once looked at anyone in the room even when a student answered a question. He explained that he was so nervous when he first started teaching that he could only stay in the room if he focused on a spot on the back wall of the room.
Even his explanation was not enough to make me feel confident in him. I always felt he couldn't wait for class to be over so he could escape our prying eyes. He was wonderful one-one-one, but the class dynamic was off for many of us the entire semester because of this. I did not take another class from him although I like the topics he taught.
I think eye contact can be as valuable for the teacher as for the student. It's a two-way street.
Hi Larry!
Absolutely! Eye contacts helps to reduce distractions around them, helps build self-confidence, as well as connects them to the subject.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilaitator
It makes them feel wanted in the classroom
I feel that it makes your presentation appear more personal. It helps to gain a connection between you and your students.
Definitely. I never liked it as a student when someone was staring at me. It made me nervous and I would lose focus on what the message was and would concentrate on understanding why the teacher was staring at me.
I also believe maintaining eye contact is important because it lets the instructor know that a student is paying attention or "gets it" regarding the material being presented. Body language is a key aspect in understanding if the message is being clearly conveyed.
Making good eye contact is important and lets the student know that he/she is "part" of the group you are talking to. If you avoid eye contact, students feel they don't need to listen because the instructor is not aware of "what they are doing". Also maintaining good eye contact with anyone shows that you are listening to them and are concerned about what they are saying or just about them being there (in the classroom). People who avoid good eye contact appear to be very insecure and that projects to students in the classroom and is actually noticed by them. In teaching students to interview, I stress good eye contact and the fact that it exhibits confidence and interest.
Making good eye contact is important and lets the student know that he/she is "part" of the group you are talking to. If you avoid eye contact, students feel they don't need to listen because the instructor is not aware of "what they are doing". Also maintaining good eye contact with anyone shows that you are listening to them and are concerned about what they are saying or just about them being there (in the classroom). People who avoid good eye contact appear to be very insecure and that projects to students in the classroom and is actually noticed by them. In teaching students to interview, I stress good eye contact and the fact that it exhibits confidence and interest.
I think it is important, but at the same time you have to understand that there are many cultures that see that as disrespectful. So I think you have to be aware of this, and adjust depending the situation.
Maintaining eye contact is very important. It lets that person know you are giving them your full attention.
It is the way that i connect with each student in the room.
Eye contact has always pulled me into the lecture and discussion as a student. I haven't thought it about that much as an instructor. It'll be a good tool to use.
