Hi Ronald,
We deal with students that may be engaged in shift work. I have had sleepy students in both as well. I offer the sleepy student to step out for a second to splash water on their face or to go out and drink a cup of coffee or pepsi.
Patricia
I teach both day and night classes and deal with sleeping students in both. I find that switching from lecture to lab works well when a student begins to get involved with a project they seem to gain that second wind.
Hi Albert,
I've used the water practices, they work well. I've even had students to drink a caffinated drink in order to wake up. Most of our students juggle a lot, we have to be creative with ways to keep them attentive in the classroom.
Patricia
Tossing objects around in class is a good idea. That will get them energized and is a fun team building skill. When I have a student that is showing signs of falling asleep, I will politely ask the student to stand up at the back of the classroom. That usually does the trick. Another option is to ask them to step outside, get a drink of water, or splash water on thier face.
I will have everyone standup and move around. Sometime we will change rooms or just go for a quick walk around the building .
I agree. If I see students starting to drift or fall asleep, I shift to an active learning lesson plan that forces students to move around and/or break into groups. This usually will get everyone going again (especially with a class that exceeds 2.5 hours).
That's about the time I take a break in the class. Typically it's just a temperature issue in the classroom or the time of day.
Hi Stephen,
I understand your point, but I do not use this tactic simply because I do not feel it is fair to disrupt the class for one student. I deal with that one student instead.
Patricia
If i see students falling asleep, I ask everyone to stand up and stretch. It gives them a minute to wake up, without calling out anyone student.
Hi Linda,
I have the student go to the restroom and splash water on their face and get a drink of water to help wake them up. I try not to remove the student from the class because the student misses instructional/lab time. Removing the student from the class for the period is my last resort.
Patricia
I move the tables around and sometimes have the students face the wall and not me. Sometimes I have them face each other.
