Active Listening
It seems like in every course I teach I end up spending some time on active listening. In the age of multi-tasking my students believe they can do many things at the same time, but I have to convince them that they are probably not doing any of the things very well. At least, not as well as they would if they do one at a time. A great exercise is I'll have two students read from different articles of a magazine at the same time for about 45 secs. I'll then ask the audience what the articles were about, usually not one person can give any detail beyond a word or two that they heard in each article. Then I'll have them pick one reader to listen to and sit up, make eye contact and really focus on the words the reader is saying. Then I will have the readers read again. This time when I ask what the articles are about the audience is usually able to give better summaries. They really get to experience the difference between hearing and actively listening. It really helps to build better classroom habits.
Hi Shiketheia,
Students need to feel a sense of importance. Students really do feel important when we hear them out.
Patricia Scales
I will have to agree. We must assure our students that we are hearing them clear. Feedback is very important in our field of work.
Mrs. Simmons
Hi GILDA,
We certainly should give our students our undivided attention.
Patricia Scales
Opened minded,nonejudgemental, sometimes just listening is great. my theory, all atention should be on the student
Hi Valerie,
The instructor has to have full control of the classroom in order for effective learning to take place.
Patricia Scales
Kelly, you are right. This is an excellent technique! It is a great way to halt those sidebar conversations, and good way to remain respectful to your learners while still controlling the room.
Hi Jeffrey,
I too have had much success over the last 25 years of having a mixture of soft/hard. Students know that I care, but I want the best for them.
Patricia Scales
I agree and being a multi tasker can appear insensitive to some one who isn't. They feel you are not being as attentive as we should be.. Some times being soft is also a bad thing just as as bad as being "hard". I have had a great deal of success incorporating both.
Hi Kelly,
Students get it with this soft approach. Being hard is not always the best approach.
Patricia Scales
By giving focused attention to the speaker, presenter or questioner I set the tone that this is how we listen. In the early days of class, I am gentle with corralling attention by saying.."hey, hey listen up Sarah just made a great point I don't want you to miss it"
This has been a soft approach and has worked for me while gaining command without tanks and generals.
Hi Lauren,
Awesome exercise to demonstrate active listening and hearing. Our students really do need to be better listeners so that they can do better academically. A strong listener is normally a strong student.
Patricia Scales
