focus
When there is a class of 20 plus students, it's very difficult to keep focused on all.
Sir its help to put the students into groups that
will work together to help each other get threw the class.
Hi David,
What we need to be as instructors are leaders of a coordinated delivery of instruction. You mentioned time and people management which is critical. Also, we need to be focused on all of the students but in a time and people managed way. That is by having examples, activities and opportunities available that enable the students to learn in their own preference ways. Through learning groups and other instructional methods you can offer instruction that will help all students to learn and progress. That way hopefully at the end of the course all students will have had many opportunities to learn. If so you will have fulfilled your obligations as a professional educator and they will have as responsible students.
Gary
Someone, please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we're being required to focus on ALL students ALL the time. Time management and people management play vital roles. Remember, we are not paid sitters, rather instructors who are here to bring the info to students and be here for their guidance and motivation. Grouping the students can help lighten the load, YOU as the instructor trying to group students who accel with students who may need a little more motivation may help too.
I agree to a point. We all have students that seem to have no focus. We have to be sure that we remain focused on the objective of our class. We can help the other students understand how much they have accomplished and assist the unfocused to realize that even with their lack of participation or attendance that they may have learned quite a bit anyhow and how much more they may have learned had they applied themselves more. I wasn't the best of students and always remember that. I have found that my worst students are sometimes more like me than I care to admit. I succeeded because of an instructor that didn't give up and helped me to grow within myself.
I generally deal with 25 to 30 students per class and sometimes it becomes easier to put students into small groups to help concentrate your focus. Sometimes it also helps the students who would not speak up on their own to have the group to help them ask questions.
