Center of attention
Students always have one person that stand out, of the class,that joke around, I like to use that person , for my demos in class , is a plus
I do the same in lab. But I can not in most of the classes I teach except lab.
Hi Chyrisse,
This trick is very effective. It works extremely well.
Patricia
Hi, Emily...I agree with redirecting the class-clown or attention-getter as the observer. I think I will try this trick. It probably makes the student feel important by assisting in this fashion. It constructively deflects the energy..Thanks! Chyrisse
Hi Chyrisse,
You have to control the center-stage student, otherwise they will consume ALL of the class time.
Patricia
I have noticed center-stage students publicly state they are ADD. Even if this is the case, other students feel this is an excuse to hog the limelight. They feel the lectures are drawn out by the attention-getter (so they have expressed to me). During lectures, I usually say "Let's hear from another student! I would like everybody to have a chance."
Hi Ben,
Thanks for bringing out the positive in center-stage students. These folks must stay busy.
Patricia
Center of attention students are a great resource to have in class. I have found that they are usually fine academically; thus, they're able to assist other students, divert misdirected questions, etc. Harnessing their energy is the most important part.
Hi Emily,
How have you handled your center of attention student?
Patricia
I really appreciate the idea of utilizing the "extra energy", look-at-me student as a class observer, both to re-engage him/her in a more focused way in the classroom and to have the added advantage of an automatic review of clsswork within the class period.
Hi Christopher,
I have found that giving the center stage students various roles definitely keep them occupied. The key to dealing with center stage students is to keep them extremely busy.
Patricia
I find that my center stage students like to have the demos done on them but are usually poor note takers, so often I do not chose them for this function. As a motivator to these students to keep their enthusiasm up but their disruptions down I often talk to them about becoming teacher assistant in the next semester as long as I can trust them not to be disruptive this semester. It really pumps their spirit to be thought of as special and to have a role within the class room
Hello Harold,
Who do you use as demo person in the class whenever you do not have a cent of attention student?
Patricia
