Emma,
Eye contact is defnitely a powerful way to engage our students, especially in larger classes or where I can't move around as much. I can still engage them with my eyes.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have a workshop to train my students on how to talk with clients. Also it is part of our course they have to do a powerpoint in front of the class to teach them how to speak in front of a group
especially younger students. Because of facebook, twitter and text messaging, students don't know how to communicate, and they have no social skills. they don't know how to look someone in the eye while talking to them, and they dont know what to do when someone is looking them in the eye while talking.
Ensuring eye contact with students is a way to non-verbally communicate with them, to let them know the message is meant on an individual level as well as for the group. Eye contact allows for a connection between the instructor and student, and it helps the student remain focused on the topic. Because of my acting and public speaking background I have been trained with regard to eye contact: This has been very beneficial skill to have as it has integrated well with my teaching and has produced positive outcomes with my students.
Many students, shy or not, find that they need help with their communication skills. I may not consider myself to be shy, but at least I find one thing in common with shy students; (which creates bonding in the learner-teacher relationship) I may attach more meaning to my own words and actions (eye contact, voice with a smile, and facial expression) than those around me. Being conscious to tune my actual words, with my voice, while paying attention where my eyes are, being conscious as to how many students I can reach in a classroom of sometimes 25 students!through the power of eye contact?
This also convince me that our eyes are the windows of our soul!
Hi All,
I always enjoy making eye contact with students that I know are "getting it". For the students that are not "getting it" I talk to them and explain the concepts to them sometimes as if they are the only person I am talking to. I will repeat myself to each student if I have to. I really want to know if I'm engaging my students or not.
Eye contact helps reinforce the lesson. Good eye contact also helps to make students feel involved.
Terrance,
Yes when we engage our students with strong eye contact it lets them know we care & that we want them engaged with the subject matter as well.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Sharon,
You are so right. It's amazing how even before class begins if we greet our students with that smile & eye contact they are much more prepared to learn.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree. In or daily communication sometimes we forget to use non-verbal therapeutic communication techniques. A genuine smile with eye contact communicates to the student that you are showing interest and acknowledging the student's presence.
I agree and it also helps them stay focused less likely to start texting.
I think eye contact helps to begin the path to team work within the classroom. The students feel the acceptance,and the instructor has established a means to manage the objective of the course. This is to teach the subject to the students. The students will also be more willing to take an active role in the class, and the learning process will be student centered.
A genuine smile with the eye contact makes for a very strong friendly connection between student and instructor
Timothy,
I think the key point here is the demonstration of caring. Obviously if you stare at the back wall, students will try to get away with bad behavior, but it's also showing them that you as the instructor don't care about their learning, so why should they?
Dr. Ryan Meers
Laura,
It is very true that in our western culture, eye contact is a great way to show our students that we care about them & are interested in what they have to say & in what they are learning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Having eye contact with the students helps with keeping the student focused on the topic and lets you know if you have lost the students with too much bloviating.I had an instructor once who staired at the conor of the back wall throughout his lectures. His eyes never wondered and neither did he. He just sat there and lectured. By his lack of eye contact he had no control over the college class and he did not know if anyone was actually listening and more important understood what he was saying. Making eye contact is important in that it shows the students that you care wether or not they understand the material and that you respect them and not just wasting their time.
Eye contact is important so that each student feels as if they are engaged in part of the group and that the teacher acknowledges them and also values them as a participant.
Paul,
Yes, many times we can pick up on the cues from the eyes that they don't understand even if they are unwilling to ask a question.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Eye contact is how I ensure a student understands what I am delivering at the moment it is delivered. I can see the look of Ah-ha in their eyes,as well as "what?", meaning the didn't understand
Roy,
This is a great technique to see who is ready to answer & often to see who has a question that they may not be asking.
Dr. Ryan Meers
