i never turn the lights off, if a student can not see the projector screen I have them move
Hi Timothy,
I like how you get students involved in your lecture. Students do not want to hear us lecture to them the entire period. It makes learning more entertaining when everyone is involved.
Patricia Scales
I try a number of different things. When I'm purely lecturing, I try to move around a lot. I use lots of charts, graphs and images when doing power point presentations. I try to search for answers to questions from around the room and try to call on everyone so that they all feel as though their participating in the overall class discussion.
Hi Ladansa,
Students enjoy playing educational games. Games normally get students energized.
Patricia Scales
I like to ask them what their goals are, (concerning the content of the present course I am teaching), and have them explain these goals to me. I do this sometimes one on one, and sometimes in front of the class, never trying to embarrass them, obviously. This seems to help get their head back into the material, and many times sparks their interest as well.
Depending on the class when the students look as if they are zoning out. I play a quick game. I try to have some kind of game for the students that accommodate the class that I am teaching. It gets the students involved.
I find one of the easiest things I can do is very effective. I just stop. I stop talking, stop moving; I stand still silently. This works best for students who are having their own conversation. I have the whole class' attention, if even for just a brief period of time.
Maybe by putting the material into terms he/she understands better.
Have activities ready and break them in small groups and then have them present to class.
I so agree when you are at eye level they seem to look at you as a peer not their instructor.
Stop talking or go stand next to inattentive students.
Hi Richard,
We have to change it up on our students. I even change location during the period. I may start lecturing from the front and after break I will lecture from the back. Change is good.
Patricia Scales
I agree. I keep two of the three lights on turning off only the front light. I will also move to the back of the room. Students perk up when they can't see where I am.
Hi Holly,
A smaller setting is certainly a nice setting to get everyone involved and give a lot of attention to everyone. I like how you use encouraging tactics to get everyone involved.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rene,
Super! I noticed you said "brief". This is great because some students are long winded and they will consume all of the time.
Patricia Scales
I have had some challenges in this area - usually the students look like they are paying attention but when called on require much information to answer a question. I have tried a few strategies and am having mixed success. For instance, I call on the student every third or fourth time, I do not go in order when students answer out loud (I jump around so that the student must pay attention), and I ask questions i know she will know the answer to in the hopes of building her confidence in answering questions. I tend to ask a lot of questions because I have a small class (5 students) - this makes it difficult for students to hide and allows for more small group discussion that she must participate in.
I like to allow them to voice their answer or comment, then the next time a class response is rrequired, I make sure to call on someone else. But I do allow that student a brief amount of floor time.
I believe that "stretching breaks" not only breaks up any monotony, but helps to get the circulation and oxygen supply to a favorable level.
Deanna
I teach at a post-secondary school, so I try and relate to the industry they are training for. I use personal experience from my experience in the industry. I also, try to incorporate humor into my presentation through the use of terms or sayings that the younger generation are using. I find that they think it is funny to hear a "teacher" using terms, sayings, or slang. By using these allows them to see me as a person and not just a "teacher", and everyone gets a laugh at the same time.
We have three hour and 15 minute demonstration/ lecture classes, so keeping the students attention is very difficult most of the time. I give them at least three 10-15 minute breaks, and do a lot of questioning of the students during my lecture/demonstration to help keep their attention. If they think they may be asked a question they are more likely to pay attention.
