It engages them in what is going on. It may also help them feel like you pay attention to them making them feel more part of the class
I have mostly adult students. In maintaining eye contact I show them respect when they have a question and I can then see if " the light bulb" has turned on in that they understand the concept I am explaining.
As an instructor in my 50s , I remember being taught to look others in the eye when speaking, as well as honoring a hand - shake agreement. Looking others in the eye also implies an agreement or expectation.
Eye contact allows the instructor to keep the students attention, check for nonverbal language such as confusion, understanding or loosing attention - a break may be needed or shift in lecture technique. It also lets the student know you are aware of their presence in class making them feel welcome.
I agree. Sometimes I find students look hesitant to interject with a question or comment and if you can catch that you allow those students to participate.
I find that students tend to pay attention better if they see you acknowledge them through eye contact. As an instructor. it definitely is easier to focus mostly on those students that give you positive feedback, but without making eye contact with the whole group I find it's easy to lose those students you don't look at.
gina,
I agree that the eye contact with students really does open up a communication channel with our students & helps them to feel included & encourages communication.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
By having eye contact you let the student know you care about them and that you want to see that they understand what you are teaching.
Students do not want to feel like a number. If you are making eye contact with a student, then they know you are aware that they are present in class. Also, when an instructor makes eye contact with a student, it lets the student know that the instructor is aware of what is going on in the classroom. If they know the instructor will be looking around the room during lecture and making eye contact, they may tend to pay attention instead of finding a side activity.
beverly,
excellent point made here. A student may be reluctant to admit confusion or to ask a question but they probably show this in their eyes. If we can read this message, we will be able to help them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find that eye contact helps me know if I am losing them in lecture then i know I need to change things up in class for 15 min or so.
Maintaining eye contact gives me some insight as to what the student might be thinking. Are they confused, do they have a question, but not sure if they want to ask. Gives me a little heads up as to where the students thoughts might be going.
When maing eye contact with my students, it's let them know that on an individual basis that I look for asome kind of responce from that student. It could be verble or a return glance. By doing this I know that the student is focesed on the leason.
Eye contact allows you as an instructor to gauge the students understanding of the material based on facial expression. Also,the student is more involved when eye contact is maintained.
maintaining eye contact with students lets the students know that they are being acknowledged and that I concerned about their well being in my course. I really do have difficulty maintaining eye contact with each student in my classroom. I'm sure that it will improve over time. I guess it's a New teacher's jitters. Also coming from a Asian background we don't have much eye contact with people that we talk to. I have struggled with that my whole scholastic education. Anymore tips on how to improve my techniques in interacting with students aside from the pointers and ideas from this section of the course?
I like to get eye contact with my students for several reasons:
1. I feel like it helps me form a more personal bond with each of them.
2. I get a good feel for which students are engaged in the lecture and which are not (those students may need help to find other ways to learn the material effectively).
3. It helps me draw them in and keep them interested in the material.
4. It helps me to stay engaged when I find those students who are smiling, nodding, or otherwise showing interest in what I'm teaching.
P.S. I love the course so far -- your information is very helpful!!
keeping eye contact is important to me in every day conversation and also in learning. If someone is tracking with me, they will nod their head and agree with you. To see this lets me know we agree or disagree. That is why it is so important for eye contact.
Maintaining eye contact allows the instructor a chance to further involve the student in the overall experiences in the class.
Eye contact not only allows the instructor to maintain the engagement of the class but it also allows the students to feel as if they are part of the class. Eye contact enables the student to know that they are an important part of the class.
With eye contact I can tell if the student understands the topic or if they are lost. I then ask if they are on track and that will help with students who don't ask questions.
