I feel that a good way to capture students attention is to: find a topic that pertains to the work field that they are studying for and apply my experiences in that field. This seems to get them very engaged in the text...
In lectures, or chats, I like to ues interactive games or role play and I ask everyone at the beginning to ensure an answer - even if they don't know.
This gets everyone thinging. Challenging each other to be the first to answer. Having fun with learning.
I capture their attention by asking them to create a scenario for the topic I discussed. Or ask if they have personally run into a hypothetical themselves. Most students like to tell stories.
Hi Arlene,
Each student will have a turn. This is certainly a great way to keep students attentive. I randomly call on each student, I do not do any particular order.
Patricia
We work around the room with each student providing the next step to a problem. If a student doesn't know what to do next, I provide a question to answer that will guide him/her to the next step.
I was doing this in class calling on several students by name. One told me straight out I feel like you are picking on me. I had to make it into a lesson on "selfawareness" one of the topics of the day. It became an inprocess adjustment I was able to share with the other students.
Hi Sharon,
How do your students feel about role playing? I love the excitement and creativity of role playing as well. Typically, I see a lot of excitement and creativity from students whenever they role play. Role playing is a great teaching method and students normally have fun with it.
Patricia
In my claases I like to keep ALL students engaged thru random calling out in class.
I ask simple questions needing lengthy answers in groups.
Role playing is one of my favorite learning activities. It is active and authentic. It calls for critical thinking and encourages creativity.
Hi Araceli,
This certainly grabs their attention. They tend to really become attentive moving forward.
Patricia
As I read in this lecture, I involve the students in different activities in class. I like to use role playing simulating real world situations. Keep them presence, I make sure everyone participate and contribute to the class.
I call on the student and ask a direct question on what we are learning.
I use something called exit tickets. Before students can leave class for that session, they must answer a question/questions I pose about the lesson. Sometimes they are self-reflective, but often they are content related. I have found that this gets the attention of all the students for most of the class duration because they do not know what I will be asking. They don't want to appear as if they haven't been paying attention in class and therefore take more diligent notes. I think it is the element of the unknown that keeps them on their toes. Also, the faster they finish their exit ticket, the sooner they may leave. This motivates them also to pay attention so they are not the last one in class.
Hi Stacie,
I have discovered that show and tell is not an elementary thing. It is an effective teaching method for all levels.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
Whenever students know that the instructor is monitoring the room, the students tend to do what they are suppose to.
Patricia
I have found that using small group activities frequently requires all students to participate. If they do not, then other students pressure them. I have also found that walking around the classroom is useful to keep students focused. While I do this, it gives me the opportunity to see who is doing what and also allows me to pose questions. When I start doing this, those who are playing with their cell phones or laptops start paying attention--at least for a short time.
I have lots of items for show and tell....I like to call them my tinker toys and I use them through out the class and as the student look at the toys I can ask questions that the whole class can participate in.
One thing that I like to do is to ask them their opinion on a particular topic. When they give it, I am sure to give plenty of positive feedback acknowledging, and appreciating him/her sharing their thoughts with us, whether their statement is way off course or not. I want them to feel that their opinion is valuable, and encourage them to speak more frequently, and hopefully ay better attention during class. I also like the idea of small groups, but unlike what was stated in this course, I like smaller groups of 3-4 students. I will then assign an inattentive student the responsibility of being the group's recorder or secretary, and/or the spokesperson for the group, whether that means simply reading the thoughts of the group out loud, or writing them down on the board.
I totally agree students respond to practitioners and appreciate information from someone in the field...it can be energizing for students.
Having guest speakers who are in the field and a successful practitioner seems to draw in the inattentive student.
