I could not agree more.I believe it is said the eyes are the windows to the soul.
Lets them know that you care and are interested in their learning process.
In maintaining eye contact, I find the students actually stay more focused on the material being presented. It actually makes the students feel that you are talking directly to them, and have their best interest in mind.
You are making a student an individual among the many students in the class. This will also make a student more engaged and feel apart of this great journey of learning.
I agree the students ask what have I done
It ensures they feel included in the class as a valued member of the learning experience. It establishes repoire with the student, and provides an aspect of encouragement that they are "on the team' and doing their part in the education process.
It is well-known that eye contact is essential to establish credibility and trust of the speaker. In the classroom the same principles apply to the student listening patterns.
When you make eye contact it helps you know if the student is getting the information.
I can tell immediately if I have lost my student during lecture by watching them to see who has a faraway look.
I think making eye contact shows the student that you notice them, and that you are teaching them. Even if that eye contact is for those few seconds, it makes them feel important and involved. It helps keep them engaged and interested. It makes them believe they are almost in a conversation which helps keep their attention better. I notice that when I make eye contact with them they will nod their head or smile approvingly.
Hi Karen!
As an instructor, I really like the connection that eye contact affords me as the instructor. It is such a great feeling to watch the light come on!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
It is very valuable and important to make direct eye contact with each student. This helps them to feel part of the class and acknowledged, on the same note eye contact will also let the instructor know if the student is understanding the material.
While I do find eye contact to be a most beneficial tool especially for those students who require a lot of attention, many students do not particularly like eye-contact. That is, they learn fine without the added pressure of someone "hawking" them. Also, they just may not be at a level of maturity allowing the to grow out of the bashful stage. I think that we instructors need to be sensitive to the personality of our classes as a whole. That's where we can decide who appreciates eye contact versus those who do not.
Maintaining eye contact with your students helps build a relationship that lets them know you care about their individual success. When students know they are more than a number in your class, they will take more pride in their work and feel freer to come to you with questions or concerns.
Hi Gordon!
If you think about it, we started this process as infants. The more eye contact and interaction a child has, the more they learn!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
By maintaining eye contact, the student can feel that you are talking to them. It also lets you know that they are listening to what you are saying.
When you have a lot of students in a class they all need to feel important. They need to know you care about their progress.
It lets the student know that you are focused on him/her, but only briefly, 2-3 seconds. It also deters any behavior that might not be appropriate.
i usaully get an idea if they are really listening to what i say or taliking with some one else or even trying to hyde the fact that they are looking at their phone in class. i feel that they are concentraing more on what iam saying if i look at them.
Good job Tracy! I can teel from you r post that you genuinely care about your students' learning outcomes.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
