You are engaging the students when you look at them directly. This makes them pay attention as they are fearing that you might call on them for an answer to a question. IT also makes the students feel as if you are talking directly to them.
And Kyle - it makes them feel important!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
the eye contact personalizes the class to the student. those 2-3 seconds lets the student know that you are there lecturing to them.
Hi John!
Eye contact is typically a very good way to connect with people and can tell you a lot about them.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
it lets the student know that you are paying attention to them, also keeps them awake =]
I HAVE STARTED DOING THIS MORE AND HAVE FOUND THAT STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE DISCUSSION.
Greetings Deb!
Great job - you have provided 3 very good reason for eye contact. It's all about staying connected with students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
There are several reasons.
One reason is that it lets students know that you are acknowledging there presence in your classroom. You are recognizing them as an individual and not part of the "scenery".
Another is that eye contact gives clues to students understanding of the material. A confused or panicked look in someone's eyes can let you know where you may need to review a point.
A third reasons is classroom management. If students know that you are looking around the room on a regular basis, they are less likely to start side conversations.
I agree Timothy! A lot oa personal group takes place when someone is able to maintain eye contact. I always emphasize with students the importance eye contact and how it builds self esteem.
Great comment!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
A week ago I had the chance to sit back and observe my class because we had a guest lecturer. I found it interesting to watch. From the beginning, he seemed to connect with the students who were paying attention and returning the eye contact. I think this makes both the student and the speaker feel more at ease, because he maintained eye contact with the same student almost thoughout the entire lecture. At one point I wondered if this would make the other students feel as if he wasn't talking to them, but I noticed that whenever he attempted to draw other students into the discussion/lecture, they were preoccupied. The old speech tactic of "looking right over their heads" certainly wouldn't work while in the classroom! The student's need to see and feel as if they are a part of your focus.
By keeping eye contact the students stay focused on you and the class activity, lecture etc... I feel that there respect that is also gained with good eye contact.
When lecturing it is imperative that the eye contact be made with each individual student. You can read whether the student is paying attention and also if they are involved in the lecture. It also keeps the instructor engaged with the students. It is vital.
If a student won't make eye contact with me in the classroom, it makes me think they are hiding something and/or are intimidated. I would expect a student to think the same of me if I appeared this way. The last thing I want is a class who thinks I'm hiding or intimidated!
it lets each student know that you care about there learning process
It has been my experience that students will pick up on your confidence level about the subject matter. It also tends to show your concern for them by trying to conect with them.
For the 3 to 5 seconds you hold eye contact with the student, they will feel engaged in the lecture. Sometimes, you can feel the confusion a student is experiencing and realize you need to expand on the topic. Other times, you can feel the student communicating his/her understanding. By engaging all the students in the class, it helps give you a better understanding of the classes needs.
Good evening,
Everyone has hit the key points of making and maintaining eye contact with the students. I'll just add that, in certain circumstances, it is a powerful tool when emphasizing a main/key point as well. For serious or strategic issues, eye contact, pauses, and pitch/tone illustrate the significance of what you are attempting to convey. AS you deliver a "pivotal" fact or point to the lesson, change your pitch and pause aftwerwards. Sweep your eyes to each student and they will react to your message.
Greg
Having eye contact really helps with the student s buy in feel. The more interst they feel you have inthere progress the more resposible they tend to be.
Greetings Sandra!
I like to move around the room where possible and for those students you avoid eye contact, it is a perfect way to engage them. I try to have a relaxed informal atmosphere in my classroom which I firmly believe is conducive to learning.
Hopefully, we will have some other suggestions.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I have found that sometimes this can be a challenge, especially with large groups. Certain students actually avoid making any kind of eye contact, particularly those trying to "hide" in the back. In discussions it's easy to call on such students for feedback, but when it's a lecture format, what can the teacher do other than keep glancing at these particular students during the lecture? Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.
