I like to move around too, it keeps their attention up plus after working all day, it helps me stay focused. Could make a game out of it, after lecture have them close books, put any notes away and quiz them on what they learned - winners get a piece of candy. limit 2 to give other students opportunity.
When I find that there are some inattentive students, I have found what works for me is to get them involved. I ask them questions or get their feedback on things that I have covered in my lesson for the day. I use a "round-robin" approach by asking them and others. I do this in a way that that it does not seem like I am picking on them and it gets them involved in the class. I also move around the room so that they have to keep their eyes on me as I move around.
i engaged them into being the leader of the group for a presentation and give positive feedback for little things she/he is doing inside and outside of class.
I find that small group work makes it so everyone "has" to get involved. You can't hide or be passive in smaller settings. Sometimes I give the students poster paper where they have to list brainstorming, then share out their small group brainstorming. In the share out, each student has to say a piece of what the group brainstormed.
I have seen some teachers give marks for these mini presentations. Others just keep it as an engagement strategy.
During the lecture, call out students by name to answer a question or give their opinion. Also walking around the room usually works. Figure out what they are interested in, and try to relate the discussion topic to what they like. Use them as your helper.
I like to walk around the classroom while I am lecturing. I usually tend to go to the back of the classroom and spend time there. As the term progresses I make an effort to remember students by name and call them by name when I ask questions. Also I walk to each individual student desk and ask the same question (usually these questions can have different answers). Innattentive students know that I am coming.
I capture my students attention by including ALL of them in lecture discussions. I have everyone including my self relate topics to personal experiences.
I have them spilt into groups and in each group everyone has a role to the activity in the group.
Hi Jerry,
The first day is crucial. If you can win them over on the first day, half the battle is done. Let them know on Day 1 the purpose of the course and how the can benefit from the course.
Patricia
Involving them in answering questions on the board, ask their experience, involve in group activities where all members are responsible to report.
Some of the best ways to capture their attention is on the first day. I introduce them to what I did for a living and I show them pictures of some of the procedures I performed in the operating room. We then discuss why these were done and I then explain why it is important to know this information because they may see some of these patients post-op in their practise once they graduate and start work. This rolls over nicely into the material to be covered for the next quarter.
To capture students attention, I start class with a clip from a movie, TV show or youtube segment (each less than 5 minutes) to capture the classes attention. I incorporate series of thought provoking questions that lead to group discussions. Finally, I try to keep all lecturing to less than 20 minutes followed by some form of group activity. At the end of the activity, I usually call on the student or students who seemed to have been inattentive during class to give an overview of the key concepts learned in class today.
Katrina
I move around a lot and also engage the students that are inattentive.
Hi Shanna,
I have come to realize that students feed off of energy.
Patricia
Hi James,
Using a puzzle is a sure way to have students get focused and gather their thoughts. Most puzzles can be challenging, which allows for greater attention to be designated.
Patricia
Hi Adelia,
Direct questioning of a student is a super way to grab their attention and to keep them focused. No one wants to be called upon and not know the correct response.
Patricia
Hi Jaime,
It is important for our students to know that we are genuinely concerned about them and their goals. Students need to know that we care.
Patricia
During each class period I will call upon each student at least once (usually two to three times). No student is exempt. It doesn't make any difference whether the student is prepared or daydreaming. This takes place during the "lecture or review" part of class. During the laboratory segment, I meet with each student briefly and ask a question(s) about the topic to ascertain their knowledge. Then during a follow-up to the laboratory segment I call upon several to elaborate what has been learned during that lesson.
Utiling different teaching methods to keep class interesting. Allow them to perform presentaion. Have lots of group discussions.
it is good to have speakerw who are currently working in a particular subject related topic
