I think with this student that you have to find ways to break down the content into smaller packages, easier to handle.
In this way they can tackle it and understand it.
Robin Jonas
Capturing my students attention is very important. I teach nontraditional students that need a little extra attention to get through the day. Without enabling, I encourage and allow time to divert from topic in order to engage everyone to be participate in class.
Hi Donald,
Students love knowing how what they are learning is going to be applied in the real world.
Patricia Scales
I agree that stopping the lecture and regaining the class's attention by relating how the topic aids career development is helpful.
I engage each student by first making eye contact and then I use stories of my own experiences. I also speak to them not as just students, but I want them to realize that I see the as adults.
I use the same strategy; I try to draw the inattentive student in a classroom discussion of real life situation and add some personal experiences from the field, related to the topic discussed.
I would give a short quiz to see if they were paying attention.
I normally walk the room when I am lecturing. Typically when pass by the student the tend to become more attentive. Even though the may stray away again. They atleast try and pay attention as you approach their area or stand near them.
Keeping things interesting has always been a good way to keep students engaged into what your teaching. I find that mixing up the class, by showing videos, doing demonstrations, having guest lecturers, and even doing small projects in the class have helped me to keep students attentive and engaged. Breaking up the monotony of simply lecturing or doing homework everyday is a positive way to get the students' to focus 100% on what is being taught.
Hi Aaron,
This is a good way to draw students in. Students like to be able to give a response when they are called upon.
Patricia Scales
I have in the past and continually, when I see an inattentive student, attempt to directly involve them in the discussion or activity. I ask for their input and their opinion on the topic or discussion. I have asked for personal experiences and situations that they are aware of with respect to what is on the table. My strategy is to draw them in without embarassment or stress. Usually, the student does contribute and it does not phase me if they attempt to be humorous or serious. My response is complimentary open-ended to their participating which usually triggers others to join in as well and further the discussion.
I generally do not use PowerPoint in class but rather draw a lot on the whiteboard. I'm not an artist at all and my crude drawings do wonders to engage students and to facilitate their understanding of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology. They often comment on how much they learn by me NOT using PowerPoint.
I agree talking to them one on one helps. I have done this several times and they open up to me I have a student now that after 7 weeks I think has a problem reading she is great at the skills part of our class but not the bookwork so I take her aside each class on a break and we go over content again and she is thriving now.
When I went to school, the instructor announcing a possible "pop quiz" at the beginning of a session, usually gets my attention. But I believe an effective alternative is to enhance what is being taught with supplemental audio/visual stimuli...i.e. showing a video that relates to the subject matter and/or telling a factual story/example.
I find involving the students in such a way that they feel they are involved is the key. Once way incorporate this is to have each student read aloud part of the material. This provides them with an initial "voice" and helps them to get acclimated.
Hi Gregrey,
Excitement truly starts with the instructor. Remember, excitement is contagious as well. Let your students catch your excitement!
Patricia Scales
It is important to keep the students attention to keep them focus on the subject. This will insure that they get some information from what they are being told. I have found that if I am excited and enthusiastic about the subject there attention is easier to capture. Making it apoint to bring them into the subject with good questioning is also important. let them be part of the conversation and get them involved
There are various ways to capture the inattentive students. The most important aspect is to have an instructor that is engaging. If the instructor is boring and not interested in what they are teaching then we cannot expect any enthusiasm from the students. For those instructors that don't possess that "energy" then he/she should create projects to keep the students engaged.
Hi Mina,
You have it! Students love being invovled. You use a vareity of teaching methods to reel your students in. I also love having guest speakers and taking my students on field trips when the opportunity allows me to do so.
Patricia Scales
Inattentive students need to be motivated to be a part of the lesson plan. Some instructional strategies I use are role plays, group activities (involving the lesson), and hands on activities. These types of instructional strategies encourage the student to be a willing participant in class, and at the same time the student is applying necessary information to help them be a success in the course.
