Making people feel more like part of the class empowers them to be more comfortable, relax and focus on the subject at hand.
It allows the students to know you are intrested in them; not just doing the job
I find that I unintentionally have eye contact with only a handful of students. These students tend to be very interested in the lecture that I am giving. I will make a point to have contact with each student and see if they, also, get more out of the lecture!!
Good eye contact sets the stage in the classroom that not only the class as a whole is important but also each individual is important. Eye contact also indicates you care about their learning. It is important to see how students are responding to your presentation by looking at their facial expressions.
making good eye contact does help the student feel that you are interested in teaching them
I use this along with addressing the students by name. Learning their names in a fast manner makes them feel more important than just someone sitting in a seat. Engaging them during lecture allows others to get a sense of how that student is interpreting the material.
I totally agree eye contact is the key to mantain the students atention and focus
To have eye contact with students is most influential in regards to engaging them as well as making sure they understand you.
it makes students feel that they are special in that you are taking time to look them directly in the eye
Having eye contact with my adult learners lets them know that I am aware each one is there and establishes a rapport with each of them that is more -- shall we say -- intimate than scanning the class as a whole.
First, it makes each student feel that he or her is important to you. Second, it makes them feel that you are willing to give them individual attention. Finally, it induces participation with discussions.
For about 5 years I conducted training seminars where the student evaluations of the seminar governed how much I was paid for presenting the seminar. Eye contact with each learner, floating in the seminar room and lab, and monitoring each learner's progress was critical to getting the maximum evaluation rating. If the learners have achieved their goals and expectations from the class, their evaluation of the class and the instructor will be favorable. Unfavorable evaluations are learning experiences for the instructor....do it better the next time.
Estella
I completely agree with you. I also think it helps us as Instructors become more confident and students trust us more.
Aisling kane
I believe eye contact is one of the most important tools we have as instructors. It helps build a non-verbal rapport with the students, therefore allowing them to feel more comfortable about coming to you with questions, asking questions in class. This in term keeps the class fresh and interactive.
That is a great idea and I think I will try that at the start of our new term. I always try to make eye contact with all my students but helping my students make eye contact with each other is a great idea.
Aisling
Learning names through eye contact is a great tool. I sometimes have students pair up and after introducing themselves to each other, introduce their partner to the rest of the class, sharing their own name and then their partner's. While they then say a few things by way of introduction, I maintain eye contact and keep repeating (to myself, of course) the student's name. Then aloud I say to each student, "Thanks, [name]" or "Welcome, [name]"; repeating their names that way while making direct eye contact really helps me to remember them.
Alan
I fully agree with you there. It is like a silent contract between you and the student and you acknowledge them as part of the discussion. It also helps the student to trust you and open up more.
Aisling
Hi Alan!
Well put - good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Greetings Joel!
It is amazing what the eyes can tell us!
I work with individuals to help them with professional and career development. On the first day of class, we learn to shake hands in a professional manner and to look that person directly in the eyes. The handshake hasn't been too difficult but looking into and maintaining eye contact has been a challenge.
I don't know if you have thought about or observed how little eye contact that you have with people on an airplane.Sometimes we can spend many hours traveling with people and never make eye contact!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
It shows the students that you are aware of their presence and acknowledge them as part of the learning group. It may also serve as a source of feedback for the instructor, as you will receive indicators of how well your message is being received by the students.
