By asking if they may have an opinion on classroom work.Or getting them more involved in the classroom work.
I like getting them involved by doing lots of hands on activities and real life scenarios.
Hi Sharon,
How do you go about explaining your real message?
Patricia
Hi Robin,
Yes, guest speakers really can add flavor to students thinking. They have interesting experiences to share.
Patricia
Hi Bridget,
Super idea! What do you do during class time to capture your students attention? I like to be really enthusiasm and upbeat about the subject matter, and I make it a point to involve all students in my lecture.
Patricia
Hi Denise,
What do you do to capture your students attention? I like to talk about the money they can possibly make. Everyone is interested in hearing about making more money.
Patricia
I love putting students in small group discussions and activities. I usually change the groups weekly I think this is a great way for students to get to know one another and to work together in teams. I find that putting students in different groups on a weekly basis prevents clicks and this way students get to work with all different types of people. This helps the students interact with one another and makes them become involved and more attentive.
Hi Suzanne,
All students should be involved. Students are more likely to pay attention whenever they know they have a part/role.
Patricia
Hi Moti,
This is a super way to get all involved.
Patricia
I can create a Class Leadership Day Program on a weekly basis depending on how many students are in the class, and on this Class Leadership Day, I would choose one inattentive student to create a 15 minute presentation on an area that is their strong point as it relates to the class topic.
Guest speakers can literally change a students outlook altogether on the subject matter. Some students think, "well this isn't what I'm going to specialize in, so I don't really like this class", but when that speaker comes, and can show the learners how this class will indeed relate, I see eyes light up!!
Tom,
I'm guilty of the same little pleasure...outrageous statement...
Sometimes I regret it because not every student has a zany sense of humor. Then I hate having to explain my real message.
I really appreciate your attention to so many factors that create a positive/productive learning environment. Asking many questions is also a great informal assessment of learning outcomes...and Socratic questioning is a great teaching style for promoting critical thinking.
The "upbeat and lot of enthusiasm" comments you made are so important to me. We need to make the material sound superduper and very important to the students...just as we need to speak positively of our institution, school policies and colleagues.
to capture the attention of the inattentive students can be done by assigning class activities or discussions that are informative and relates to the course
Making sure you use differentiated instruction during your lessons.Know your class by giving a personality assessment to see in what ways your class learns. Plan your class activities according to how your class learns. Make sure that you use different teaching methods to keep the instruction fresh for the students.
First off I try my very best to use examples that I think students will relate to when teaching a subject or topic. I also try very hard to present material in a very upbeat way and with a lot of enthusiasm :).
I also ask a lot of questions in class for 2 reasons: 1) To learn if everyone is with me and I have not lost anyone, and 2) to encourage classroom participation.
Additionally, I will also use real life stories to make or prove a point which also helps maintain student attention.
Hi Thomas,
Insanity on the instructor's part can certainly make the whole class more alert! :-)
Patricia
Hi Sharon,
Nothing in education should just be done for the sake of it. Everything that is done should be of great benefit to the student first and foremost.
Patricia
Assign a segment of material and ask that student to become an expert in that subject responsible to impart it to the rest of class. I do this for all to increase classroom participation overall.
Guest speakers just for the sake of guest speakers can be worthless...a bore for all.
But "good" guest speakers are very meaningful.
I find that graduates now active in the career field are great speakers. There are always good questions and the students typically leave feeling motivated.
