It is important to keep the attention of the entire class, the movement around the classroom helps students to pay close attention, to students who show difficulty concentrating put them in working group
One of my favorite techniques in capturing the attention of the bored and restless is to ask for their assistance during my lecture. For example, I might ask them to write on the board or flipchart, the key points of the lecture, as I teach. I also enjoy using them personally, in examples, in presentations. Again, if I am discussing creating a small business, I would use their name as the business name and ask for their further assistance in creating the lecturing concepts.
I would ask the class to prepare a lecture that follow the topic of discussion. It wouldn't have to be a long lecture. Just a summary and start with the inattentive student to break the ice. This would allow the student to be prepared and it wouldn't single them out. As all of the students will have a opportunity to do it at some time or another. I will collect them and add the summary as a bonus point to their grade and it will also see if the class is all on the same page.
What I find helpful would be to open a dialog that relates to the subject and would get them to think and apply the information that is be discussed. We all know that all information in a classroom setting isn't always interesting. But having a verbal way of relating it to what we do in everyday life, makes it more relatable and easier to retain.
Hi Frank,
Questioning a student about the lesson is a sure way to bring them back to focus. All students want to know the answer when the instructor calls upon he or she.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
What a great way to be consistent and fair about time. Everyone can clearly see the classroom clock, and you announce what time to return to class.
Patricia
To capture my students attention I attempt to make lecture realative to them personnal.. My feild is health so asking ?? about them and family memebers that may have health issue and tying it all in...
Have the student observe the class; have the student bring ideas to the lecture, have the student tell of his experiences.
Be prepared. Project your voice and move around the class room. Use animation and hand movements to keep students interested.
As far as breaks, we have 10 min every hour. This is college policy. I also have a student remind me if I get lecturing and miss the time mark (as I sometimes do, but try to pay attention to the clock)If I go past the time by a minute or two, I am clear what time we are to return to start class, by the class clock, look at the clock, and announce what time I expect the students back so there is no mistake. If students are late back to class, the are marked tardy, and there is a sign in sheet for that in the front of the room. Times are by the classroom clock.
Mike
If a student is not paying attention, I will walk up to their desk while lecturing to get their attention, they will usually get the idea. If the are talking, I will stand next to them, or sometimes do the stare down, peer pressure will do wonders. On occassion I may need to make an announcement because there are more than one conversation going on at one time, "the side conversations need to stop, it is time for class". When I have had a conversation, I simply had a private conversation with a student stating you did not seem to paying attention, what is going on? And discussed what topics came up and how we could tackle them, what the student was facing, and my and the other student expectations for an orderly class.
Mike
During my lectures I move around the room in order to keep the students engaged. I usually provide a list of ten discussion questions on the subject matter that we are reviewing. If I see that a student is inattentive I would call upon them to answer one of the discussion questions. This helps to get them engaged in the discussion and also to see if they are prepared for class.
I use powerpoints and make them avialable online to students, and while I do lecture from them, I make sure to make plenty of real life experiences in addition (I am a nursing instructor)I make sure to stop and ask for clarification about terms from the students to make sure they have done the reading (increase student accountability) and if something is a very important concept which will be on my test or likely the NCLEX (national nursing test) I repeat it three time, smile and say that would make a good test question. I have found that as I have taught more, I am more comforrtable and move around more, and am much more energetic, walking around the room with the clicker for the power point. I also ask more questions to get the students to interact more. It is never too early to get the students to critically think and start thinking about nursing care plans, nursing diagnosis and and why and how a nurse does something.
Mike
To capture studens' attention I talk about the job itself, the positive things that happen on the the job, meeting people, and the interreaction with patients in the dental field, as well with colleges and dentists.
I talk about the flexibility the dental field offers with regard to the working hours for example, I make known that by being in class, they have chosen a career they will love if, and that they can go many paths with this career, beingit dental receptionist, office manager, teaching with a Bachelor's degree, chairside assitant, dental sales, etc.
Hi Dale,
Now that you are more aware, I am sure you will utilize some of the tactics that we have mentioned in the course and forum as to how to deal with unfocused students.
Patricia
Patricia,
I have been teaching for little over a year. I have been fortunate and have not had any students who have been consistently unfocused. Or I have not been observant enough. However, I have had one or two that I have had to say something to him/her to do something that they should be doing. Dale
I like to think of a brief assignment that students can complete in a small group and then have each group give their thoughts to the class. This will require all students to get involved.
I may be repeating many other answers, but here are a few techniques that work for me:
I love the idea of "Minute Papers" or "Exit Cards" as a summary of the day's lesson. One, it keeps them engaged if they know they will be accountable, and, two, it helps me know if they understood everything (especially if I allow them to ask questions as well as summarize).
Also, small group work with individual accountability works wonders. If the group knows that someone will have to tell me what the group is doing but does not know which student it will be, then the group will make sure everyone is on track for me.
I also love the idea of speaking cards to help control both over- and under-participation. If I were to offer participation points based on the number of cards they use each class, then they will be more able both to step up and engage the topic or to sit back and let others have a go.
Hi Dale,
I teach at an institution where medical assisting is taught. Believe it or not, there are some medical assisting students in clinicals and labs that are not focused. As soon as the instructor discovers that the student is not focused, the instructor has a firm serious conversation with the student simply because too much is at risk in this type of setting. We have had students to change their major because they were not into it at all. If you ever get an unfocused student in clinicals deal with them quickly and swiftly.
Patricia
Hi Bill,
I like the approach you take with your students to get them refocused. You give them the opportunity to get themselves together, and if they don't regain focus you have a private conversation with them. Your students should really appreciate your approach with them.
Patricia
