Hi Leann,
As long as the conversation topic is applicable to the lecture, I strongly encourage these type of topics.
Patricia
Hi Bryant,
Great ways to grab your students attention. I make it a point daily to call on every student in the room. Students get use to this practice, and they make it a point to really pay attention.
Patricia
Call on them to get involved, put them in small group or ask what they think about the subjuct I am teaching. I also use class survesy to get students involved.
I try to express to them that I have been in your shoes, I know what your are going threw and whats ahead for you. So what I am doing is relating to them and building a relationship with them. They now can relate to me, for I have done what they are trying to do and I am here to help them threw it all.
I call on them and let them show what they know on the subject I am teaching on. If they veer from that I will ask another classmate what the discussion was about and bring the focus back to the that class teaching for the day. I encourge class discussions and speak up and to get involved in the discussion.
I like to use an ice breaker, and discuss some current event that the students may be interested in. Also there were some good pointers in the course to walk right up to the inattentive student, as to remind them to pay attention.
There are several ways to capture their attention. One way for me is to draw their attention to what it going on in life, such as a music venue or sport topic, then I relate it to the lecture which seems to draw their attention to the content in class.
I keep the class involved ask them questions ,calling them by their names ,asking their opinion in between keeps them busy and involved.
One of the techniques I have used in a live class is to go around the enitre room with a "listing" activity or even another quick ice-breaker. For example getting a top-ten list together and have the students work to guess the items on the list. An example would be the top ten grossing movies of all time. That or go around the room and ask, is there a term or concept that you are stuck on?
-Greg
I have found that creating group projects are tremendously helpful! It really places responsibility on the students to perform not only for high marks, but also they tend to be concerned with their peers assessment.
I tend to use a lot of humor in the classroom. It gets their attention & they often remember the material is I put a comedic twist on it. Seems to have always worked for me.
Start your lecture with a startling fact.
This is a great idea Suzanne. The issue of income/budget seems to be an interesting topic of conversation for my sociology class during the social stratification lecture. I sometimes put a budget on the board that some families have to follow. Students list all the things that is normally paid in a family. The interesting thing about this activity is I tell them after everything is listed, the family online brings home $850 per month. Some students see this as unbelieveable and the debate starts to take place; many times the quiet student becomes very active.
Some of the things I use to capture my students attention is pretty easy. I usually call on them by name and then pose sometimes a controversial question. A question that will allow the student to express his/her viewpoints. This usually gets the student a little more involved in the lecture material.
i agree it is an excellent way
Hi Lisa,
What classroom tactics do you utilize to grab your students attention?
Patricia
I agree with you Diedra. I sometimes notice that student are more attentive when they realize that you have gone through what they are experiencing now.
Being a student as well as an educator, it has been my experence that it is always good to know what is going on in the field and sharing it with the class. It very motivating to them
Hi Jeris,
I also like to do as much hands-on activities as possible.
Patricia
Hi Suzanne,
I like to grab students attention by mentioning the potential income that can be earned in their chosen profession. Students love to hear about money.
Patricia
