Waking up students that are falling asleep in class
I have a variety of small foam rubber objects that I toss around in class to the students to get them energized after a complex topic.
Thanks
Hi Julie,
I never sit and teach, I am always on my feet. I wear comfortable shoes so that I will not be inclined to sit. My voice really projects, and I can make it even louder if there is a need. From time to time I will encounter a sleepy student, and I will politely ask the student to go out to splash some water on their face or go out and have a cup of coffee to wake up.
Patricia
:/ i have yet to encounter a sleepy student.you need to notice them before they are in that sleepy mode, or change your way of teaching. ie: loud voice? soft voice? i change it up some. if i notice they are not paying attention, i will walk over to them and continue my lecture. i dont stand behind a podium, i sit next to students, sit on a table, walk around the room, make eye contact with them....i just dont like the whole squirt gun idea :/ . what happens if you shoot someone in the eye ?
In my class on the very first day I always tell my students that they can go to the back of the class and stretch but under no circumstance will there be sleeping in class.
I guess my feeling is if they are sleeping then they are wasting their time. Why am I going to give them attendance credit when they are no more involved than if they were home sleeping.
First offense - I will pull them aside and speak with them. Second offense - I will ask them to go wash their face and stretch. Third offense - I send them home for the day to get some rest.
Hi Kari,
No, I do not allow sleeping in my class period. I remove the student from the class.
Patricia
What about your repeat offenders? If you have spoken with them privately and other tactics not working, is there ever a time to say "it's your decision to sleep and miss important content and that it probably will ultimately reflect in your final grade"?
Hi Carolyn,
That's right! Why should the whole class have to suffer because of one student? They shouldn't...it is unfair. Deal with the sleepy student and teach the other students.
Patricia
Hi Heather,
I taught a late class and an early morning class for over 20 years, and you have to go in the next morning energized and with a great level of excitement to get your students going.
Patricia
That's a very good idea. It helps wake the instructor up, too. I teach a late night class and an early morning class the next day- I understand being sleepy- I've actually heard the content before! We will get up and actually go for a quick walk around the student commons to get everyone awake.
I totally agree. I will ask the student to walk around, get some air, go to the restroom, and shake it off. I tell them to then return to class. I make this clear because sometimes they will leave and not come back for the class period. I subsequently speak to them one on one about getting enough rest so that they can be rejuvenated for the learning process.
It definitely is not fair to interrupt the class for one student.
Hi Gary,
I like the policy! What a smart way to get your students focused, and they don't miss any instructional time because they are still in the room.
Patricia
I teach a night class and try to keep students awake by lecturing on my feet, and keep the students engaged by asking question! students who have worked all day tend to try to follow me with there eyes and ears and wonder when I will ask them next. I also make it policy stand in the back of the classroom if you need to stay awake
I have a squirt gun that my students know I will use if necessary. All my students know its done in fun and it is effective.
Stephen,
i like this technique because sometimes lecture could be boring and simple stretches will ease the boredom. It is also a great way to break the monotony.
Susan
Hi Steven,
I do it as often as needed.
Patricia
Hi Hilda,
It is done at any point that is necessary for the student to wake up.
Patricia
Do you mean that you do this 45 minutes into the class?
I agree and have found that I get the best result from doing this on about a 45m timing.
Hi Hilda,
Group activity is active learning, and I have found as long as students are active in the classroom they won't fall asleep. We have to keep the mind busy.
Patricia
I think that engaging all of the students in a group activity is an excellent way to re-energize everyone in the class, including the instructor.
