Getting and keeping attention during lecture
What are some strategies for keeping students attention and also gaining it at the beginning of a lecture. I find it difficult because they all have computers in front of them. I usually say, "can I please have your attention" or " I would really appreciate it if you could take your hands off of your mouse for just a few minutes while we discuss this"
What do you think?
I found that by having a question and answer time at certain points of the lecture (going over some of the material that was just lectured) helps keep students involved. By randomly calling on the students that appear to be not listening helps keep them paying attention.
Being dynamic and engaging can help keep a students attention. The time of day can really make a difference, after lunch or end of the day before a holiday you may need to work a little harder to be engaging. I like to pass out candy for right answers. Everyone loves rewards.
For highschool level is easier, i used to teach a class in which i had the cell phone box, the students were able to keep their cell phones unless they started to go into facebook, twitting or sending messages not stop, then i will get or collect the cellphones and keep them safe on the wooden cell phone box until the end of the class. Of course, for college students is almost impossible i tell them to keep them in vibration mode, and if they had an emergency to answer the call outside, if they spend more than 5 minutes on a phone call then they get mark down for professionalism and attendance.
I like to let everyone know what I expect and I let them know what they should expect from me. We are all adults, when I lecture, I instruct that all computers be off, or the screen tilted away.
Phone are to be mutted, but just as with bathroom breaks, take a call if necessary, as urgent matters do occur.
Most of the time I will move around the room as I am speaking, and or I will have students participate in reading long sections of a lession, this way everyone is paying attention to what paragraph we are all on. Often, when key points come up, I will announce it, to make sure that the students can remember it better.
I have the same problem. Sometimes I gather them away from the computers or move them to another lecture room to get them away from it.
I had one class in which I banned cell phones because their lack of attention as well as buzzing and ringing phones was so distracting.
They were told if I heard it or saw them texting, they would be sent home and marked absent for the day.
I too would love some other ideas on overcoming the distraction of personal technology.
