Move around the room. Don't just stand in front. This is challenging for me because the room where I teach is small and I feel awkward walking around in it. But I just need to start doing it and it won't feel so strange.
I try to find stategic ways for people to be involved throughout the class. One strategy is that students earn classwork points by solving a problem on the board and explaining it to the class at least once during the lesson. I put up 6 problems before class that are the easiest, which encourges people to get to class early or on time to solve an easy one. Then throughout the class I put up more problems. It seems to break up the class, and I am not the only voice the students have to listen to; they get to hear from each other. For any student resisting talking in class, I ask questions about parts of their work, which ends up allowing them to share their thinking without feeling like they are giving a presentation to the class.
Hi Gregrey,
What a good way to reel an inattentive student in.
Patricia Scales
I like to break up the lecture with in-class assignments that are related to the lecture notes, and then I call on students to answer the questions. I also have students prepare and give presentations to the class.
When you have a student who is often off task, effort must be made to identify the times when the student is focused on the lesson so that immediate positive attention is given to the student (verbal praise/encouragement). Students who are selectively given praise for being on task show improved attention in the class as a result.
Ask them a question and engage them on a one to one level in regards to there response. I have found that this gets them into a conversation that you can use to get them involved with the rest of the students. So they have a tendency to become attentive.
I like to do a meet and greet at the door when the students arrive to class and make a point engage the inattentive students. I find this brakes the ice early and helps get them involved at a more personal level
Some inattentive students are also students who are overwhlemed or confused about the material begin presented. They"zoneout" because the content may be too much for them or they are simple thinking of other things. I believe lecturing for 15-20 minutes and then giving a related activity is a good way to engage these students. Also, group/team work is effective. Sometimes, you may need to meet with the student one on one to search out what may be the cause of their inattentiveness.
Hi Tatiana,
Students love learning while having fun, and even adult students love prizes.
Patricia Scales
Asking Questions
Give real life examples
Walk around the class during lecture
Capturing student attention helps when getting the student involved in the class discussion.Breaking the class up into small groups and having a point person for each group helps to let the point person be the leader, it helps shy and talkative students become engaged. This usually captures the students attention and helps them to feel engaged about the subject.
I am using the games and giving the fabulous prizes for good answers. Most of the time it is working well.
Speaking with students outside of class, letting them know I care and getting to know them a little better seems to help me with the not so attentive student. I also give reminders during class that what I go over in lecture is what will be on the quiz so it would be well to pay attention and take notes for their better understanding of the subject matter and ultimately a good grade in the class.
I like to stop in the middle of a lecture and say, “Stay away from the lightâ€. This instantly lets me know who is paying attention and who is in the light. The students that are with me, laugh. The ones that are in the light look puzzled and may not laugh. I continue with, “Okay, everyone stay away from the light and come back to meâ€. It seems to work well in the online classes. I do not have the luxury of walking around a room, tossing a candy bar, or dividing the class. It is funny the different responses I get when I ask, okay, what were you thinking about. Most of the time the response will be the lecture. However, I do get a lot of honest students thinking about lunch or dinner.
Going through section 2 in this course, I have learned a few more fun ways to keep students active and attentive. I enjoyed the last segment with the Harvard instructor telling the story how he ruined the guys day by not responding. It is funny how one action can make a big difference.
I also agree with you. It hepls keep the students awake. They never know when they will be called on.
I would give the class an assignment or task to do in class. Then go around the room to make sure everybody is doing the assignment. Group projects can sometimes work and sometimes not. If a student is going to be inattentive during the whole class, they can be just as inattentive in a group. I break my lectures up with things to do so there is not a long lecture and get students doing something.
HELLO,
I HAVE FOUND THAT THE MORE PASSIONATE YOU ARE ABOUT A CERTAIN TOPIC THE MORE STUDENTS WILL REALIZE YOU ENGAGED IN THE TOPIC.
keeping than engage in work.and also try to identified why they are not getting intrested in topis i am teaching.
First, I address each student individually at the beginning of each class, relating to a specific point that they identify with. Then as I give my lecture/demo or have lab, I ask leading questions such as; Why do think I would do this in this order? Or how could I do this differently. While standing at the front of class it is easy to see when you start to "lose" the students. I try to include various stimulus in a lecture, shifting to powerpoints, having group activities ready, or even just taking a quick break to refresh. This quick break usually allows me enough time to gently approach individual students as needed.
My classes tend towards higher energy using a case study, inattentive students tend to stand out. I then use other students to bring the inattentive student along by asking them to explain or give insights.
