Group work and presentations incorporated with the class theory.
I like to talk personally with the inattentive student and get them motivated on the task at hand.
i like to have them tell me the steps i just did in the demo
Hi Richard,
I have found that students are generally interested in course content from a career standpoint. They want to know how the information will help them on the job. It makes the course even more interesting, if they can use the information personally as well.
Patricia
Take the subject material and through question and answer relate to something that relates to that's students intrests. If the student is not interested form a career standpoint relate the value of the subject to personal profit or saving standpoint.
I use my own experience and relate to our topic real life with text book helps
Hi Michael,
Once students understand the benefit of mastering the material and how it will help them, they are more likely to really become interested in the course. At this point, the student will work extremely hard to succeed.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
You are certainly very tactful in your approach. You do a good job not to embarrass your students.
Patricia
I rely heavily on the use of small group discussions and exercises in my teaching. As groups are working, I go from one to another, checking to see how well they are doing, asking questions, and at times commenting on what appears to be a lack of participation on the part of one or more group members: "Are they leaving you out?", "Have you been able to come up with some ideas?" are the kinds of questions I might (rarely) ask in such situations.
By giving a student that is paying attention the first question, it gives the entire class notice that questions are coming at them. When the inattentive student sees that, he/she will pay attention to what is going on and you give them a little opportunity to save face. Doing that might just motivate them to pay closer attention. If they still can't answer the question, the instructor can say "see me after class and we will do a quick summary." When you meet after class, the instructor can tell the student "you need to pay closer attention and if you still don't understand, don't let it get the best of you. Ask for help after class or something and I will find a way to get you help if you need it, but you have to ask and you have to pay attention in class."
Each student has his/her own reason for going to school. If you make your leasons have reason or application for the student they will pay more attention because it will have binefits to them.
Hi Michael,
Why do you feel it is important to give the inattentive student question 2?
Patricia
Hi John Pal,
Great idea to get everyone involved? What do you do if a student does not do an adequate job of teaching/explaining the section?
Patricia
I like to break up the class time with class team projects, quizes, and laughter...
i teach using the method of having students teach me the topic of discussion. One way is to assign a section to each student and have them come to the front or white board and teach or explain their section to the class. This gets all students involved and reinforces their retention of the topic they covered.
If doing math problems, have the inattentive student come down and complete a problem. If lecturing, pop questions at the class and make sure that you include the inattentive student for question #2.
I have found that having the student relate a story or event that syncs with what we are currently talking about grabs their attention. Get them involved!!!
I like to engage the entire class with questions and ask for their comments relating to the material. I will sometimes direct questions specifically to a student who seems to be disengaged. Once engaged, I try to hold his/her attention with the class discussion.
Hi Annie,
Field trips are great to enforce theory/practical applications in the classroom. Students really enjoy field trips. Field trips are educational as well as fun.
Patricia
Make class material relevant by taking them on a field trip for "hands on" experience.
