Maintaining Focus
What is some advice for helping students maintain focus when outside events prevent them from participating in the course as a whole?
Hi Adam,
Is it possible to break the students into learning groups and give them different assignments and then have them regroup and share the information so that you are still moving the class forward, covering the material and getting the students involved in the learning process.
Gary
I agree with you that having different approaches help the students out, but sometimes I feel as if I have so much information to cover that I do not have time to break them into small groups. I love the idea, but how can you break them into groups and yet still have the capabilitiy of covering required materials?
Hi Gilbert,
Good point about keeping them focused on the course. It is hard to do sometimes but as you say they are going to have to develop this ability if they are going to be successful in the workplace. By practicing it in the classroom setting they can develop this needed skill while learning both content and skills.
Gary
I let them know that the same focus that is needed for the class for a couple of hours is the same that they would need if they are on the job.
Being able to block out personal problems for a couple of hours is the same as being on the job a concentrating on getting the production done.
And hopfully they will have since of accomplishment afterwards
Hi Adrian,
Good point about understanding students and their reasons for being in school. You may be the instructor that inspires and supports them to the point that they are able to successfully complete their program and create a future for themselves and their families.
Gary
Depending on the situation, every student is going to be different. Helping them understand the stress from outside is something that shouldn't interfere with this one thing that they are there for. The main object to to give them comfort by letting them know that their classroom is a place to escape that and enjoy the one thing they love to do to better themselves. You never know if school is the one thing that they are trying to complete to get them out of their current situation.
Hi Michael,
You have to take each situation individually. By knowing something about the student and the outside distractions you can strategize with that student on how to get them involved to the maximum extent possible. It may be that they will have to sit out a phase and come back when they can devote more time to their education.
Gary
