You might be one of those teachers that get anxious because their students have attention issues like divided attention, loss of focus and others don’t focus at all. This is because you probably enter the classroom with no game plan and simply improvise everything.
Of course, improvisation is good – but you just can’t be Jack Sparrow in the classroom. In this article, we discuss the things that you can do, that will keep your students attentive without even trying so hard. These include;
You might be one of those teachers that get anxious because their students have attention issues like divided attention, loss of focus and others don’t focus at all. This is because you probably enter the classroom with no game plan and simply improvise everything.
Of course, improvisation is good – but you just can’t be Jack Sparrow in the classroom. In this article, we discuss the things that you can do, that will keep your students attentive without even trying so hard. These include;
1. Greeting students with a smile
This should always be the first thing as soon as you walk into the classroom. These are the implications of greeting students with a smile;
- It shows that you’re interested in teaching them
- They feel the need to reflect the same attitude you show them
- It lightens up the mood in the room
- Sets the tone for you to start your lesson on a high note
Some teachers step into the room and everything goes cold, but you don’t want to have fear as the only thing that motivates your students.
2. Maintaining eye contact
This usually seems hard if you have anxiety problems or you’re a little too shy. This is because looking at almost every student in the eye is hard. However, doing it sends the following message;
- You’re focusing on them, and want them to focus on you as well
- They should stop whatever else that they are doing and focus on what you’re teaching them
- You really want them to learn what you’re teaching
3. Calling students by names
I know that knowing each and every student of yours by name is such a daunting task, and it even becomes heavier if you’re trying to get them all so fast. However you do it, it’s important because;
- It shows that you know them
- Calling them by name makes them focus on you
- Makes them stop whatever they’re doing if it’s not good
Of course, some teachers don’t do this, but there are some methods that can enable you learn their names fast, like continuously calling them by the wrong name until you grasp the right one.
4. Giving relevant examples
Nothing in the world teaches better than the ability to relate things to one’s personal experiences or knowledge. This is why you have to use examples, usually about;
- Their fellow students
- Staff or other people in school
- Celebrities
- Political personalities
This will actually make all of your teaching and explaining a lot easier because most times, students will even contribute to these examples that they understand better.
5. Using simple language
If you’re a language nerd like me, you have probably faced situations in which something kept pushing you to unleash your vocabulary arsenal. However, this does more harm than good, most times. Instead, you have to use;
- Plain, simple English
- A little vernacular
- Few slangs and jargons they can understand
When you use simple English, students are quick to understand, and that’s what keeps them fully engaged.
6. Calling students forward
Sometimes, you need to shake things up a little bit. This is because if you don’t, you won’t meaningfully engage students in your lesson. You can call them for things like;
- Writing their answers on the chalkboard
- Asking their questions and get answers
- Cleaning the chalkboard
- Identifying students who are dozing, in case they’ve also been caught dozing
Sometimes, some students will feel so uncomfortable and could resent you for calling them forward – probably because they’re shy. Detect that and adjust your measures accordingly for the best results.
7. Cracking jokes
Obviously, this is one of the best way to get the attention of even the most disinterested student in your classroom. Below are the differences that being comic can have on your class;
- Lightens up the mood
- Makes students more alert
- They become more positive towards the teacher
- Jokes are easy to remember
Of course, you don’t have to be a comedian or to script out every word you’ll say during your class. That’s counterintuitive. All you have to do is practice and soon enough, you’ll know what to say.
8. Welcoming the suggestions from the learners
This is one way that you can engage learners actively in your lesson. This is because;
- Makes them think out of the box
- Students become more active in class
- Improves creativity and innovativeness among students
This might not work for all your students, at least not right from the start. This is because some students are too shy while others will feel like they’re under immense pressure to prove themselves.
9. Giving and explaining important information first
Prioritization is key if you want to teach better. This is where you sort out everything you want to teach and start with the most important while their attention is still at its peak. Below are the advantages;
- Enables students understand while they’re still fresh
- Gets the students’ attention at the very beginning
- Paves way for you to pass on the rest of the information
This measure is only close to perfect in the morning where students are just starting out with their class day. Afternoon and later hours will most probably find them almost tired.
10. Audibility
Due to confidence issues, some teachers keep their voices low. However, that’s not the best way to conduct a class. You have to raise your voice without shouting, and that will enable you;
- Prevents students from dozing
- You have all the attention you need
- It favors even the students at the back
Conclusion;
Being able to control the class is more about getting and keeping the attention of your students throughout the lesson. This means you have to take conscious measures to make sure that you achieve the desired goal.