To reenforce or give the intrinsic value of what they are learning.
Aleatha,
and it's a great way to monitor the understanding of the students & see if I'm leaving any of them behind or they are getting lost.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is very important because it shows that you are including all of the students. It also ensures that you have the attention of all of your students. I have found that this makes each student feel connected.
Mahmood,
and it also helps the students feel drawn into the class content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It's very important to have a good eye contact with the students. It shows instructors confidence and competence in the subject.
laura,
this is a great point, the eye contact is a powerful way to show your confidence & your openness to the students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It lets the students know you are engaged and acknowledge each and every person in the class. Along with body language, this is a very powerful tool to show you are not intimidated and paying attention to those students that are also engaged in the learning process versus those playing on their phones.
Eye contact engages the student in the class. It shows that they are a part of the class and I care about them.
Kizzy,
it really is amazing how much you can pick up from looking a student in the eye.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
When you maintain eye contact, you acknowledge the student and are able to get a sense of what the student understands or does not understand.
I think not only does it let the student know you've aknowledeged them but helps keep them focused as they might think you will call on them or something.
I beleive that eye contact help to connect you to the student and will allow them to better pay attention during a lecture.
Good eye contact shows the students I am acknowledging each one of them as an individual as I address them together as a whole.
It also lets student know you are focused.
Christy,
and by doing this they are drawn into the lecture & more likely to be engaged with the content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Eye contact can help a lot when starting with a new class because it helps them feel welcome.
I think it is important to have eye contact with your students. It lets them know that you are interested in what they have to say
Eye contact keeps them honest. if they know you are attentive to whether they are paying attention or looking down at their cell phone then they may pay better attention.
Judy,
this is so true & a lesson that was pounded into me, to make good firm eye contact.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Richard,
I am a firm believer in eye contact for the very reasons you stated. It's a great way to gauge understanding as well as help them feel included.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
