Get Your Students Hired
I teach physical therapy. I tell my students that they can learn a lot from looking at someone's eyes. We can see fear, pain, happiness, along with many other emotions. The same goes for students. YOu just have to look.
But here is my concern. As an instructor, I hate looking in people's eyes. I am a very strong introvert and by looking into the student's eyes, I have to use a lot of energy. However, I can and will do it if necessary, especially when I need to get my point accross. There are many people who are like me. When I was in grad school, we were discussing stereotypes and someone mentioned that people who don't look at you in the eye is mischevious and not trustworthy. I was really offended by that. But introverts are not the only ones who have problems looking one in the eye. What about various cultures who feel you are being disrespectful if you look your superiors in the eye? What about the person who is abused, both mentally, physically or verbally? They don't want to look you in the eye as well.
When we look at our student, yes, we will get a lot from their eyes, but look deeper than that, and it will tell you more than you could imagine!
Some students may look at you as if your eye contact is inappropriate. How do you make sure it is not, but effective?
The eye contact tells the student that you are concerned weather or not they understand. It also tells you if they understand, because we can detect that confused looks, and that opens up the doors for discussion, just by using EYE Contact.
Hi Brenda!
It also helps students feel like they are important to the classroom process.
Keep up the good work!
jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Couple of years back, I did a communication course and one of the practices were to be able to look into someone eyes and confront them for more the 30 minutes. There are couples of reason why people don’t look into someone eyes without putting to much energy into it. It’s a process and a skill that anyone when you achieve it.
Of course, 2-3 seconds its more then enough to look the students and ensure they understand instructor point.
I like eye contact because it let's me know that I have your undivided attention and you are understanding what is being taught.Feed back is very important knowing that we are on the same page.
I agree with you, The eye contact tells the srudent that you are concerned weather or not they understand. It also tells you if they understand. The internal light bulb that comes on when you get though to a students, can be seen in their eyes and gives you a feeling thats hard to explain.