Inattentive Student
I find that when doing a power point, the inattentive student loses concetration quickly. At that point I ask that each student read one of the power point slides which causes all students to pay close attention so that they do not miss their turn and become embarrased. Works wonderfully.
Hi Christopher,
How have you dealt with inattentive students? I normally give them a talking to at first, then if nothing changes I will get the DOE involved. If the inattentive student is disruptive, I remove them from the room after a warning.
Patricia
I love it! Even though this sounds like what happened to me in high school, I will definitely incorporate this during my future classes!
When a student is inattentive, I look at myself first. Have I been lecturing too long? Too much Power Point, etc? I may need to adjust the length of my lessons and the methods I have chosen. Maybe the student is inattentive due to the type of learner they are. Mixing up the way material is presented can help "pull a students attention" back where it belongs.
I highly agree. I find that my inattentive students tend to respond better to writing bullet points on the white board and mixing in discussion rather than using PowerPoint slide shows.
My classes tend to be more theoretical in nature for the first portion of each course. Therefore I like to incorporate visual learning styles as well as the auditory in form of video clips with the power point.
One thing I have noticed that works well is to only place a title and a picture on the powerpoint slide. Then my lecture becomes the notes and I am not simply reading off the slide.
Only after we cover enough of the theory do we use group activities and hands on learning for those of us that are more kinestetic learners.
I think this will help inattentive students!
I do that also, and that works for me. I have come to realize that my younger students(under 25) still enjoy coming up to the board. I will have them do that too! Since I have adults, I will sometimes take a break in between exercises and place a joke on the monitor or in-focus machine. Then we will go back to the lesson.
PowerPoint slides are good, but you need to be careful. Sometimes students will get the slides and leave class immediately, thinking that they have all of the information that they need. We still need to stress and show the importance of staying for the entirety of class to get everything out of it.
Hi Lisa,
I have found that this works well. Most students are very receptive to such conversation.
I too normally have this as a private conversation.
Patricia
Previously, I have met with students and reviewed the classroom policy with them and openly tell them how i expect them to behave in class.Lisa
Hi Karen,
I feel it is very important for students to take notes even with utilizing PowerPoint. I love using the PowerPoint handouts and including the lines so that students can take notes. I like how you take it a step further and even write additional notes on the board. Students tend to pay closer attention, if they know they are getting information possibly for a test.
Patricia
Also, even when I use power point, I print the slides with the lined spaces next to each slide. Then, I put additional notes on the board or tell them they need to know something important I just said that is not on the slides. They know they have to pay attention or they will miss test material that they don't have.
That sounds like a good idea! I am definitely going to try this. Thanks!
I have found that too much PowerPoint is not a good thing in class. Students become so used to just sitting looking at slides on the wall...there is nothing different...it is the same thing in every class everyday.
I have gone back to the idea of having students or groups present key concepts in the chapter.
Grabbing their attention with real world experiences. Wouldn't it be nice if all our students could learn from our good and bad experiences. Sometimes, that hard to reach student might jump on your coat-tail and start applying themselves when some real life motivation is put forward.
This is a very good idea that I plan to incorporate next week in my Career Development class. I have a younger female student that is constantly chattering at her table, playing with her cell phone, and just mumbling constantly. Her negativity is also spreading and is prevalent even in her other courses with other instructors.
That is a great idea. I incorporate a form of that teaching style. I seldom ask for volunteers. On the first day of class I set ground rules on what is acceptable and that this is college. Please be prepared to discuss material when called upon.
Hi Susan,
I can see how this works great! It keeps everyone on their toes, especially if you do not use any type of pattern to indicate when it will be their turn.
Patricia
