It is always good to stop on occasion as you see attentions starting to drift. Ask for questions or a sumerization of what was just talked about. The question doesn't have to be at the student with the lack of attention always. Just hearing a different voice can be enough to get some back from the world they are in.
I have found that if I can relate the course material to their interests I can grab their attention.
I like to break things up and do a class physical activity pertaining to the lecture during the lecture
The best way I like to keep students attention is to have my presents all around the classroom. I keep moving around where the students have to be more attentive.
In order to capture the attention of the students it is helpful to do the unexpected such as tell a joke in relationship to the class or casually walk around the class as your teaching asking opened ended questions in varying difficulty. This will keep students engaged and provide immediate feedback in the midst of a lesson. You could also incorporate a game or two like Jeopardy or Who Wants to be A Millionaire to break the routine in your classroom.
I probe to see what is important to the student and then get him/her active by asking questions on a topic in which he/she is interested. For example, when teaching business classes, I will find out what the student desires to get out of the course. If the student is planning on opening a business, I will ask about the business, and then gear my questions around that business.
It is important to keep an eye on the class as you are teaching. If someone is bored or confused, ask them their opinion on the subject. Or you can ask if they understood the information just covered because they look like they have a question. The students that I have done that with seem to appreciate that I am attentive enough to notice they didn't understand. I also think letting them know you are paying attention will help to encourage the students who are just not listening to pay a little more attention because they may be called on to provide an opinion.
I often write a quote on the board, and refer to it when the lecture is at that point. In my College Success class, I write "Never study for a test" on the board first day. I get around to explaining it about 20 minutes into class after I go over course requirements, etc. I ask students what happens after they take a test, and they inevitably respond "I forget everything". "Exactly", I say, and then write under "Never study for a test": "Study for your career". I use the board, PowerPoints, anecdotes, song lyrics and parables to bring home the points of the lecture.
A fun way to capture student attention is to have them physically move around the room while completing assignments. I like to form small groups, partner students, let students go to computers to get questions answered, and do presentations. All of these activities keep the students moving.
Hi Paul,
What do you do to capture your students attention?
Patricia Scales
Thanks for all the advice. These are some great strategies.
I tend to mix things up from power point lecture to bouncing around class and set practical activity to engage student - set tasks i.e minute quizzes, scribe / document etc
Some of the ways that I have found to capture students attention is to keep things a little off the wall but yet keep it professional. I have them watch out for things that do not belong in the sentences that I am saying. As they are taking notes I have them jot them down and at the end of lecture I have them tell me all the things that did not belong. This seems to keep them engaged and makes it so I know that they are listening. :)
Changing up the teaching style works sometimes. For instance, lecture for a short period, then do a group project, even a class discussion. Send the students to the library for 15 minutes to find a youtube video about the topic of discussion and have them come back and "present" the video and discuss it.
Getting students involved and making them feel like it is "their" class as well, helps get the "slackers" so to speak, back on track.
I give a quiz at the end of each class and this really gives the students something to look forward to and motivates them to stay attentive in class. These are not hard quizzes, but just some questions on a topic I covered that if you were paying attention would be very easy. Students make a game of it trying to figure out what the quiz will be.
We have 4 hour classes, which is also difficult on the teaching end, however, having mini topics/assignments helps in breaking up everyone's attention span.
One way to capture the attention of inattentive students is to ask them questions and get them involved.
Hi Rebecca,
Great way to keep students focused. Students like and need variety.
Patricia Scales
Hi Wayne,
This works. When students are drifting, if you stand or walk near them the tend to become more attentive.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jamie,
I like the energy and variety that you display, and I also like how you have your students utilize their energy level to keep the class lively.
Patricia Scales
