Get Your Students Hired
Our class periods are 4 1/2 hours long and it is easy to lose students' attention, especially in the evening when many students are tired after working all day. I try to divide the time between lecture, group activities, and lab (massage). Recently I have been using Qi Gong exercises to get the students moving and wake them up. During PowerPoint presentations (not my favorite) I stop periodically and ask questions and have students summarize what they have learned so far.
I think it's imperative to stop the use of ceel phones, facebook, etc. in class. They are so distracting. I am often amused by students who think that I don't see what they are doing.
I like the idea of using colored cards for each student to make comments and ask questions when there is a student who likes to monopolize the class. I've never tried that before.
After going over a processor, that has several steps
I will call on a student to name the first step another student for the next and so on
if the student does not know the answer or is incorrect
I will start over with step one with a different student
I found this gets the attention of the whole class to get though and is fun
Also!
I also try to keep some light on, but in the summer time even with the blinds closed it is pretty bright. I walk around the room, front back so that I can still enteract with all of the students and ask questions. Keeps them on their toes because they never know when I will ask them the question.
When i have a student that isn't attentive I try to stop and ask questions. I may ask if everyone understands the concepts or ask specific questions to specific students. I also may stop the class and have them make up relevant questions to the information I am presenting... so they are in a way are testing themselves.
The idea of walking into the area where the inattentive students are seated is probably the best tactic; however, my classroom is not conducive to this movement. What I generally do is to pause in my lecture for a quick moment. Most of the students know this is a signal that something is not just right. Sometimes I do have to revert to a quick glance to the area where the inattentive student is sitting. If it is a disruptive situation, I usually go to a break, then regroup after the break with either a group exercise or a more active activity.
I think this is a good idea stopping and asking if they understand or have any questions and ask questions to se if they are getting it if not reword your presentation
Hi Patricia,
I had students tell me they appreciate having the lesson material applied to work. This helps them to better understand how the concepts of the lesson fit into doing their work.
Juan.
Hi Juan,
I concur! Students become really interested when they know what they are learning will be applied in the workplace.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
This is a good way to bring them to reality. Relating their "performance" in class to what is or will be expected at work is a great way to capture their attention.
The student need to realize they are preparing for their future employement and they need to work toward that standard of performance.
Do not give a continuous presentation. Stop and ask questions related to the material covered. Have the students ask questions. It can be boring to many of the students to have to go through a presentation from beginning to end with just the teacher talking.
Give part of the presentation, stop and ask questions, lecture some, give more of the presentation. Repeat this cycle to the end of the presentation.
Hi Patricia,
I agree keeping the students on their toes by asking them questions during the lecture. it also keeps them interested.
Hi Vicki,
Whenever content is related to the real world students automatically buy in to the course.
Patricia
Most of the time I use work groups to help bring these students into the mix.I sometimes play the eye contact game, the first person that looks at me is called on. I have noticed that a lot of the inattentive students will watch to se if some one is watching them.
This term I have experimented with....fun. While computer technology may be interesting and exciting, dealing with the terminology and other minutia can be hard to handle at 7:30 at night. So, at about mid-session I have my students form teams and we compete by doing "tech" crosswords or "digital" word scrambles. Next week I will be giving the mid-term in the form of a massive hangman tournament. The teams may be the men vs. the women, or groups of three, or whatever. The reward-an A on one homework, or 1,3. or 5 pts on the final. My adult students really enjoy "a break in the action", so to speak, and it really brings out their competitive edge!
I do this by making my instructions and expectations as clear as possible and following a class schedule. I monitor student production on an individual basis as well as the group for in class activities. I do my best to continuous draw students into the discussion and relate course content to the working world through professionalism. Other than that, I try to create a learning envirnoment that the students can experience as enjoyable and memorable.
Hi Monica,
Short intervals of asking questions or to have student involvement is a great way to keep students on their toes.
Patricia
Hi Timothy,
Great ways to hold students attention. I like to have my students teach a computer concept by utilizing the LCD Projector. I randomly pick students to demonstrate a teaching concept.
Patricia
Hi Unidad,
I like how you use variety in holding your students attention. Students like it when we use a mixture. Too much of anything is not good.
Patricia