Keeping the attention of tired learners
I am new to the teaching profession, and will be instructing an evening class. I myself attended the same class at the same time and know how hard it was to focused. What stradigies could I use to keep them on track?
Hi Ken,
You are fine. You did what you needed to do.
Patricia Scales
I have completed the lessons, responded to the forums, read other student posts; what more do I need to do to complete this forum?
Thank you,
Ken
Hi Ken,
Great points made! Students really do have different motives for attending college. Your serious student will do everything in their power to absorb knowledge from you; others will be real nonchalant about the knowledge base.
Patricia Scales
Students attend college for two primary reasons:
education/knowledge
degree
For many students, the order of importance is reversed; the degree is the ultimate importance, and the knowledge is secondary.
The students seeking education will usually remain alert throughout the class and attend most or all classes.
The students seeking the degree tend to become less interested late in the class and tend to miss more classes or skip out after break. Keeping their attention is the real challenge. If a break is given during the last hour of class, these students usually don't come back.
I use humor (especially humorous real-life stories related to the materials), walking around the class asking questions forces the student to turn their heads - any movement by the student will keep the blood flowing for a few moments.
I do not like team time during class hours as class time is short enough.
Hi Khouloud,
Keeping students actively learning with a lot of hands-on activities and varied teaching methods as you have mentioned really help tired students.
Patricia Scales
Indeed, staying focused during an evening class may be a little challenging. Therefore, seeking strategies to motivate the students will keep them interested in the subject. For instance, in employing various teaching tools such as utilizing audio-visual aids, and implementing group projects will promote class participation and interest.
Hi Holly,
Great way to get students back in the groove!
Patricia Scales
When I have "sleepy" students, we do an interactive exercise/activity such as: Family Fued with A&P questions, Jepoardy or Around the World. Making the students move and compete always wakes up there senses!
Hi Philip,
Great ways to engage students. I like to share chocolate with my students to keep them awake.
Patricia Scales
There are several strategies that I have used as we have many tired students who attend our night classes. Some of the strategies include setting up groups to solve problems or do discussions, changing tasks every 15-20 minutes, finding reasons for every one to stand up and move about, taking "field trips" to different classrooms and labs within the campus. Because there are no food or drinks allowed in the classroom, we sometimes take the class to the break room to hold class for a portion while they drink coffee and maybe eat something that was brought by students or the instructor. All these things can keep a tired class from getting distracted and losing focus. The idea is to keep them up and moving, changing focus, and giving them "talk" time to keep them engaged.
Hi Talita,
I concur! Night students are tired, and they expect you to certainly make coming to school after working all day worth their while. Your night students seem to be more serious students, and they do not like putting up with nonsense, especially when the instructor is unprepared.
Patricia Scales
I also give them a question or 2 at the begining of the lecture and tell them that the ans will be in the lecture today lets see who will be the first to find them
sometimes when I lecture I ask students to highlight certain key points in their books to get their intrest Its usually something tht will be in the exam
You should remeber that any student that attends school in the evenings ususally are more goal orientated and requires you to be up on your skills sn require the knowledge you,ve obtained to be easily given to them outside the sense that you havent prepare for the class. So be enegized , knowledge, motivational and well prepared with the knowledge of the course. Rember whatever you put into this class as well as the students is what you will get back. Good Luck.
Hi Kelly,
Great ways to keep tired students alert. My voice projects, and it really does help keep students awake.
Patricia Scales
I found that changing the pitch, tone and volume of my voice helps. I use 'characters' to share information in the class--I will assume not only the voice but the mannerisms and attitude of the character. It keeps the students focused and keeps me alert too.
Hi Steven,
I agree! Too many instructors do the same old things. Each class period, I stand in a different spot to lecture.
Patricia Scales
Hi Srey,
Night students are really tired. They have worked all day, therefore we must do all we can to keep them energized. I like to include some type of hands-on activity for night students.
Patricia Scales
One of the easiest strategies you can use is just to continually walk around while you are lecturing. Their eyes and heads will follow you and they will stay alert. You can teach from anywhere in the classroom.
