It tells the student that you care about them and what they have to say.
Dr.PAVAN,
yes that eye contact really does help our students feel more engaged & that we are listening.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Carol,
this is a great application of the importance of eye contact.
Dr. Ryan Meers
It engages the student as a person.
eye contact make the students feel that they are being noticed and paid attention also shows that lecturer is connect on personal level.
This is a great tool and I use it in my classes where I teach business interviewing.
Edward,
I agree that the eye contact really does help make that personal connection with the students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
By maintaining eye contact, you put the discussion on a personnal level which will draw the students attention in. You can also see many things in a persons eyes and expression. This can give you a clue as to how the material is being comprehended.
The eye can reviel quite ab bit of what is going on in the students head.
If you establish eye contact you can gage to some degree the level the student is receiving the material.
I beleive it will help the student be more engaged and focus on the topic or discussion and it gives them a sense that you are interested in their learning process.
The value of eye contact is one of the most important values availble to assure the student is learning. In most cases if they look away they have not retained what you have said, and in most cases if they stay in contact they are atleast intereseted in what you are saying.
Philp ,
yes great point & one that we must keep in mind. While there are generalities, we have to remember specific cultures.
Dr. Ryan Meers
judith,
I agree that this is really important with adult learners as it helps communicate the respect.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree with this completely but would like to add that there are some cultural customs or issues that may impede this practice. An example would be that I have a large Native American population of a specific tribe that will not make eye contact with you even if you are engaging them in conversation. Other examples would be Japanese female culture expressing politeness by lack of eye contact or Muslim female avoiding contact with opposite sex due to religious law.
It gives students assurance that you are talking to them not at them. It can also show an instructors confidence in the topic.
This mannerism builds a trusting relationship, between the adult learners and the instructor. And it also, enables the instructor to be more observate of facial expressions, that shows comprehension & understanding, verses confusion & despair. Lastly, the eyes are windows to the soul.
I think it helps students realize that the instructor sees them as individuals, and is interested in their understanding of the material.
They will be more engaged in what the instructor is saying if there is appropriate eye contact throughout the class period.
Thomas,
yes I think we underestimate the power of eye contact to gauge understanding.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Focusing on the students with eye contact, even for a few seconds, puts you in touch with them. By "seeking" them out, you show them that they are important. Also, you are making it know that you are in charge...you need their attention.
Maintaining eye contact helps in several ways. Here are two: You can connect with your students through eye contact, and you can also get a pretty good indication of whether or not your students understand what you are talking about if you watch their reactions.
