Hi Tanya,
Love the analogy! Students like it when we make learning fun.
Patricia Scales
Hi Nevine,
When you make learning apply to the real world, students tend to really become interested in the subject matter.
Patricia Scales
I like to teach my class as a tennis game-if I send a question I need an answer
Group work. Mention what might be on upcoming test
When I look around the classroom and see inattentive students I like to ask questions regarding the lecture. However, I don't like them to feel that I've led on into thier inattentivness. I want them to be engaged and wonder about the lectures so that they can acknowledge that maybe they don't understand something and that is what makes them not be interested. Another thing I like to do is involve them in a certain scenario.
by keep moving around the students during class, asking questions and their opinions about some subjects and correlate subjects with their actual life experience
I will ask the student that is not paying attention a question. This tends to put them back on track. I have also asks them to take a moment and write down 2 points that they have learned thus far from the class session. This tends to make them more attentive as well.
Hi Rhonda,
Great idea! Playing a game with your students is an exciting way to review. Students love having fun while learning.
Patricia Scales
Hi Christine,
It is good for students to know that we make mistakes too. Students like hearing about personal stories as they apply to their career.
Patricia Scales
Put them in smaller group to discuss the course.
I too have a short attention span. So I like to have quick questions in between sections of a lecture just to see if people were paying attention. Is helps to keep everyone on their toes as well as highlights the important parts of the topic.
Another way to capture people's attention is to tell them a story that is related to the subject. This connects the lecture to the "real life" that the students are living in now.
When going over homework or reviewing answers (which can be somewhat boring), I ask for a student volunteer to lead the review. This strategy breaks up my lecture atmosphere. If necessary, I can always interject some important commentary or information.
I've noticed that even the inattentive students become curious about the change-up and either participate or, minimally, start paying attention when they see their peers take on a management or leadership role.
Use personal career experiences to capture students attention, I usually let them hear when I have made mistakes in the field so they can relate.
Hi Kenneth,
Great response! I can tell you do your due diligence to grab your students attention. I like using variation in my teaching methods to keep my students engaged. I use PowerPoint presentations, mock learning, role playing, simulations, games, case studies, scenarios, hands-on activities, guest speakers, group projects, field trips, etc. to make learning interesting and fun.
Patricia Scales
Hi Melissa,
Super! Variety is key! We all learn differently. A great mixture is to have fun while learning.
Patricia Scales
What are some ways you can capture the attention of inattentive students?
When students enter our classrooms, they are there to receive a product, education. In today’s world of instant gratification and entitlement, many students enter the classroom with an expectation that the education will be given to them, often on a silver platter. They will sit in the classroom and appear inattentive.
These students often sit in the back and look at everything but what is being presented that class period. Look for the signs of disconnect early. They may be looking off into the distance or down in their lap so that they may text. Notice if they are seem to be looking at the presentation but do not seem to be “present†as they look. Almost as if they were staring off into space. Has the student sat in a position that would allow them to sleep; head down on the table or leaning back against the wall?
The involvement needs to starts at the first class session. Create group projects that will require the participation by all members of the group. These group projects can be part of the daily lesson plan so the students may discuss what has been recently presented. Make the students evaluate what they have just been presented; apply to a coordinated assignment, and then present to the class with all students participating instead of a group leader or presenter. These can be in-class and out of class project with presentation that include all members. This will also help the students accomplish two additions skill sets. The first is the ability to work in team settings and the second skill set is the ability to present in front of groups of individuals.
Build into the lesson plan, activities that will bring the material to life such as a lab that will build practical skill sets. This allows the student to develop an understanding how the material they have just been presented and build it into an application. Apply all three learning style; kinetics, auditory, and visual. Make the lesson plan that will attend to each style which will allow each student to have the material present in their stlye.
I love having the whole class participate in a game revelant to the course content. I will give the students pieces of paper that they can each hold up to answer questions.. Sometimes I will break them up into groups and give extra points on the next exam.
I am a big believer in that all students learn differently based on their personalities. This means that you have to integrate many different forms of "attention getters" in the classroom in order to keep every students' attention. I have used games, which most students love because they don't realize they are actually still learning. Then I will give them a quiz, which they usually pass! It was a fun way to get information. Other students prefer to sit quietly, some prefer music to be on quietly, and others simply like to talk. I incorporate as many different styles of teaching into EVERY class as I can. That way I am certain to teach every student something every day!
One of the stratigies I have used is to give the inattentive students is to ask them questions. So they won't think I'm singling them out, I go around the room asking students about the subject matter. I pick the students randomly and often will come back to student very quickly. I have also spoken with the students outside of classtime to try to determine the reason for their lack of attention. Sometimes encourageing the student has worked, and sometimes not. I found that you have to try everything you know to see what works for a particular student.
Hi Yaima,
You can get students fully involved when teaching from PowerPoint presentations, such as a Q&A session, demonstrate concept on the board, give verbal examples, etc.
Patricia Scales
