How can one capture student attention
Melissa Harris-Lacewell from Princeton University was the keynote speaker at the 2009 OPID Spring Conference in Milwaukee. She stated,"If we want to capture our students' attention, we have to be more engaging than email or porn." Your thoughts???
There are several factors I have observed with regard to my student's attention. The first and most important is that I come to class prepared but not rigidly prepared. I allow room for the discussions to take on a life of their own but my preparation needs to be equal to the class time itself. If I am drifting or "winging it" so will my class. Secondly, in teaching adults I have to give them a reason why the topic is part of the course and give real life examples of how they can use this knowledge or skill out there in the "real world".
I ask the 'shy student' to assist me with writing on the White Board, it puts them in front of the class and encourages them to come out of their shell.
We do have to make it engaging, but up to what point. Not all students learn at the same rate. Those that want to be disruptive will continue then say the instructor is picking on them. The line in the sand has to be drawn and enforced across the board with all students.
Hi Denise,
You certainly have to be engaging. Be creative and include technology to keep students' attention. Use a variety of teaching methods and be knowledgeable about your subject matter. Make learning fun! Give your students a reason to want to return every day.
Patricia Scales
