The advancement of technology has changed the education sector considerably. Information is readily available; with just a click, the entire world is opened to teachers and students. Now it seems foolish to rely on a single textbook to teach the concepts. Teachers and students can now make use of the vast volumes of information available to aid them in the classroom.
However, the downside to increased dependence on technology cannot be ignored. Recent statistics show that globally, children under the age of 18 have shown signs of attention deficiency. According to MedAlertHelp 7.2% of children worldwide have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is just the number of diagnosed cases, but many children are still undiagnosed.
The primary reason for the rise of these disorders is the excessive use of cellular phones or televisions amongst young children. Flashing screens and faster internet speeds provide high-quality graphics and videos which keep children hooked. This keeps children from developing longer attention spans in activities that don’t involve screens. Books have become dull; they find long lessons taxing and are mostly known to lose interest as the lesson progresses.
This has proven to be the greatest challenge for teachers now. As education itself and teaching procedures are evolving over time, educational institutes are focusing extensively on teachers’ training to keep them up to date with all the new teaching methods. Not only that, many people in the education sector are seeking a professional degree in Curriculum and Instruction to encourage and guide teachers to adopt specific ways that can ensure maximum student engagement and keep them interested throughout the lesson.
You have probably heard of the old technique of using visual aid. While it still holds its value, we have jotted down different methods that teachers can use to transform their teaching ways to ensure that maximum students are attentive, learning, and, more importantly, enjoying their lesson! For more tips, look on Capstoneacton.org.
Give real-world examples
Students are known to grasp a concept better if they can relate it to something they use or know about. For example, the most repeated question teachers face is ‘where will we use this?’ and it is prevalent in the subject of mathematics. To overcome this obstacle, you can reference recent developments, organize a field trip, bring relevant objects in the classroom for physical demonstration or invite guests so that your students can form a real-world connection to the concept for better understanding.
Ask questions
The oldest trick that students have always feared: being picked randomly in class to answer a question. The fear of being ridiculed in front of the class for not knowing the answer encourages students to pay attention. As a teacher, you should make all lessons as interactive as possible. Ask questions to keep children on their toes – figuratively, we mean. Bounce questions off of students randomly to keep them engaged throughout the lesson.
What’s more important is to keep your questions informative. Simple yes/no questions can help, but they can never help you understand the mind of your student. Make your questions equitable and legitimate. Don’t seek correct answers only, and don’t discourage anyone who answers wrongly. A good teacher should not let down anyone who answers wrongly. Every answer should be welcomed.
Allow think time
There shouldn’t be any rush. But, as we have discussed above, every answer should be welcomed; it is equally important to let students revel in their thoughts for a few seconds to a minute so they can process their thoughts well. This also encourages students who don’t have an answer right away. They may also take the help of cheap research paper writing services with native authors to write and present their innovative ideas.
Encourage group work
You can plan specific tasks during your lessons that involve pairing students up or forming groups. This hustle that erupts while forming groups or pairs wakes up sleepy heads. This also encourages students to hear the opinions of other students. They engage in informative discussions and ask questions amongst themselves, allowing them to be well prepared for your inspection.
Let them teach
A change of pace can let someone from your class be a teacher for a while. You can assign different topics to your students to present in front of their fellows. This encourages students to conduct thorough research on their choice of topic to curate a better presentation. Also, it can improve their presentation skills and boost their confidence. This can benefit them greatly in their careers. And you can plan this practice beforehand or make it impromptu.
Keep moving
Changing the seating plan once a week can discourage backbenchers from getting set in their ways. This way, you can keep an eye on every student and get to know their behavior better. You can also plan certain activities that involve setting up different stations around the room, so students can move around and brainstorm. This technique does wonders in engaging sluggish students. Mobility awakes the weary mind.
If you are teaching a larger class, you should constantly be on the move. Walk around and don’t stay stuck to the front only. Students get alert when a teacher passes by. This way, you can keep an eye on the students at the back and catch any sneaky activity in class.
Divide tasks with checkpoints
Break down every assignment into smaller tasks. Do not dump all the instructions at the beginning of the lesson and give them the flexibility to complete the tasks independently. You’ll notice inattentiveness and chatters around the room. Lazy students would probably wander off in their thoughts only to rely on their hardworking friends to complete the task for them too. By setting up small checkpoints, you can ensure every student is actively doing their work and achieving set targets.
Unleash their curiosity
Use the last few minutes of every lesson to assign some fun task for students to complete before their next lesson. This can mean giving them a slight hint of what they would learn next. Encourage them to look up the topic you will be teaching next. This way, you can begin the next lecture by asking questions, seeing what the students were able to research on the relevant topic, and then proceed with your lesson based on how much the students were able to study independently.
Allow small breaks to refocus
An article in the Huffington Post stated that after 45 minutes, the mind loses its ability to maintain more focus. If your lectures are longer, allow the students to take a few minutes’ breaks by sharing some anecdote or a simpler task so they can rejuvenate their minds and focus. But for these 45 minutes, plan lessons in a way that they wrap up every information well. Utilize this time intelligently.
Be personable
With enthusiasm, bring your smile and the energetic zest in class too. Be personable and approachable to all students to keep them engaged. Establish a strong relationship with your students so communicating with them becomes easier and better. Students are known to be more attentive in the presence of a teacher they feel a connection with. Share your personal incidents, laugh with the students, and joke around to keep the environment accessible.
Conclusion:
A teacher’s role in shaping a child’s future is unmatched. By changing a few teaching ways that don’t employ expensive and taxing materials and gadgets, you can change your teaching style easily. This way, you can ensure maximum attention of your students during lessons and, eventually, better results. So be the change, bring the change. The future lies in your hands.