I recommend applying more small group projects to allow them to focus on the project with their peers. Focusing too much on lectures and notes will only make the situation of inattentive students worse.
One way is to try and prevent it all together. In my coding class I ask each student in turn to answer a problem.
I have used words of encouragement and praise regarding your ability to learn and led...
I usually put them in a group with better students who come to class regularly having completed their assignments correctly and on time. These students who work hard and participate in class discussions are on top of their work and they don't tolerate slacking off work, so they make sure that all of their group members participate. At the same time, the attentive students practice what they know and they maintain the information they have learned when teaching to other classmates and making sure they do their own work.
Hi Tracy,
Students are much more engaged when they are doing hands-on activities
Patricia Scales
I will have them sit closer to the front and show them the relavancy of the material I am teaching. This will show them they will need to know it to succeed in the work enviroment and help them to stay focused.
I find breaking the students into small groups is the most effective method. In addition, I find having a active activity every 20 -25 minutes keeps them engaged and motivated.
Tracy Chesney
Hi Jetonga,
Great ideas to help keep students focused. Students can certainly learn a lot from others by doing group work.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mary,
Great way to keep students alert. I am sure students have fun with this as well. Students tend to have great discussion when they are involved in the lesson.
Patricia Scales
Hi Derrick ,
I like to mention potential income in their career every opportunity I get.
Patricia Scales
There are several ways you can capture the attention of inattentive students. Walking around the classroom will help in breaking up the tone of the classroom. Also, providing discussion questions within the lecture will help in keeping the attention of inattentive students. It is also possible to break the class up into smaller groups. After I lecture for my coding classes, I allow the class to break into groups to work on homework assignments. This provides variety in course as well as gives students the opportunity to see how others are understanding the material and get peer help on areas that appear unclear.
Have students work in teams
On occasion, during longer PowerPoint presentations, I have had students take turns leading the discussion on each slide or group of slides. I used a soft Nerf-type ball and tossed it to a student to begin the process. From there the student with the ball decides where to toss the ball next when told to switch leaders.
Hi Dr. Felicia,
I love how you get all involved, therefore they must pay attention. No one likes getting caught off guard.
Patricia Scales
Yes, I agree. Long lectures can be boring!!! Handds-on activities are great ideas as they can apply what they learn in the abstract to something more concrete. In addition, these can help them in the real world.
Felicia
I give every student (even the unattentive ones) an opportunity to engage in the discussion. It could be telling us the answer after calculating or providing a summary of what we just learned in class. This seems to work since the students know I can call on them anytime to participate in the discussion.
Felicia
If I am losing attention of some students I will have them engage in a group project. Were each group comes to the front of class to show an example of the work.
I usually call on them to participate, but rather than doing this in a negative way I try and use humor. So they aren't angry, but rather a little embarrassed that they lost focus. That student will usually laugh it off and participate.
Be willing and able to change things up. Make each student feel as though this is their class. Include every part of instruction to involve them.
I ask all the students to grab a piece a paper and do a pop quiz. If we are doing a lab class. I ask the student to perform all the skills that we performed in class that day.
