Yes, staying focused on what your student is saying rather than jumping to the next item on your list of questions can be extremely difficult, especially when you're eager to help your student! It sounds like you've got a plan to help you stay focused by taking notes and the 3 R's (repeat, reflect, rephrase) when working with your students, that's great! Keep me posted on how it helps your conversations with students.
I limit my listening because I'm thinking about the next question or what I'm going to say next. I also limit my listening because of to many distractions, Phones ringing, noise... I can overcome this by focusing on what the student is saying. Writing down their answers so I can recap the conversation to make sure what I am hearing is actually what they are trying to say.
Excellent awareness Barry! It is hard when you're passionate about what you're promoting and can't wait to get it all out!
Great topic!! Well let me start by saying “I am aware of this and have made changes in this areaâ€. I sometimes feel I have so much information to give and don’t listen as much. I am now understanding the student’s information or needs come first.
It's awesome that you have a plan to help with your listening limits, Sam. You'll have to let me know how changing the ways you set your appointments helps to cut down on the distractions that limit your listening. Good luck!
I might re-think my process of stacking appointments when need be
Too many interruptions can definitely limit our listening, Marji. Ringing phones, office noise, computers pinging remind you of the many appointments, students, and priortities you have on any given day, right? Time management is important to manage all of your responsibilities. I'm curious, in what ways will you use time managment to overcome these distractions?
Ah yes, remembering everything your student has told you and then being able to repeat it back can be tough. It sounds to me like you're concerned about missing important information from your student when you're exploring their environment, am I close? I think it's a great idea to write down key pieces of the student's story to help trigger your memory. Let me know how this works for you with the next student.
It's hard to shut out those internal and external distractions, especially when you're busy! It's great that you recognize what specifically limits your listening, Sam. It sounds to me like you realize how important it is to your student that you give them all of your attention, which is great. What things might you do the next time you find one of your listening limits coming between you and your student?
To many interruptions, phone ringing, to much
noise,
I can over come these by better time management.
Thinking about what I'm going to say next or about my next appointment if I'm running behind. I can overcome this with focusing my mind on what the student is saying and practice shutting out outside distractions when listening.
Being able repeat what is said by the student. I will overcome this by writing down some of the things said and using more eye contact.
