Hi Judi,
It is always a good idea to make sure students are engaged. The inattentive student has to have a role of importance in order to keep their attention.
Patricia Scales
Hi Ghaleb,
Students like variation. We have to make the students want to come to class every day.
Patricia Scales
I use videos or have students interact with games
Since I teach in the laboratory setting, I usually assign an inattentive student a specific task that must be completed as part of our patient care. I will also ask what they were thinking about and point out to them after listening to what the distraction may be, how important it is to stay focused on our patients.
Have a variety of teaching methods that can help inspire and engage as many students as possible. Have a series of "questions" that engage the students on a continuing basis.
peronally i like to ask questions durring the lecture designed to make them think about the material. It dosent matter if the answer they supply is right or wrong because we work together and work to the answer as a group
Hi Lisa,
I love both methods. I let my students demonstrate specific task as well on the LCD projector. We have a lot of fun when the students demonstrate. I have some students who like emulating my teaching tactics...very funny!
Patricia Scales
Hi Michelle,
Monotone never works to capture one's attention. You have to change your voice pitch to engage students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Angela,
Generally, it works to reel a student back into the lecture by asking them a direct question.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mary,
It is good to pull the students into the lecture/discussion by asking them to share pertinent information.
Patricia Scales
I think walking around the room or stand next to the inattentive student works well. Another method is changing your voice pitch. Speaking quietly makes the listener pay closer attention so they don't miss anything.
What I have found to be helpful, is that I include them in the lecture. For ex. I allow the inattentive student to assist me in role playing and I use that opportunity to show them the importance of the content.
I have adopted a few different methods to capture student attention... One of my methods is to bring a ball to class (i.e. beach ball). I use this like a "hot potato" and it is tossed from student to student and each are asked a question or are to provide input on something they have learned. Since my classes are in the evening, it really "wakes them up". Another method, since I teach computer classes, is to have each student to explain a specific task, from the instructor computer, which projects for the entire class. I first assure them that there is no wrong answer and their peers are allowed to "direct" them while "driving."
I try a variety of different things.I will walk up to where they are sitting,and direct a question to them.I get every one involved in a discution talking about how the lesson relates to them personaly
I try to continually move around the class and make a point of standing next to someone who may be tuned out. I also ask students for some of their real life experiences relating to the subject.
Hi Debra,
This is a good way to get students attention. Most people are not afraid to talk about themselves.
Patricia Scales
I like to capture their attention by asking them their personal experience on the topic we are discussing. If they have ever experienced this or that and explain to the class how they felt. I find everyone likes to talk about themselves and there is no right or wrong answers so they will not get embrassed.
Hi Michael,
You are on point! I capture students attention by the excitement I share with my students about the course. I am an extremely enthusiastic instructor.
Patricia Scales
Hi Patricia,
There are many ways to capture a students attention. Breaking class into groups is one of the best. Calling on the students is another. Walking around the classroom standing near the inattentive student works well too.
Hi John,
Student involvement is a must. Students love it when the instuctors involve them and interact with them.
Patricia Scales
