Short Attention Span Theatre
A few years ago, Comedy Central had a show called "Short Attention Span Theatre" which should have been a clue to me about what was coming ... That 15-18 minute attention span this module speaks of has shrunk, I'm afraid, to something closer to 8-10 minutes. My students have the added distraction of having large windows in the classrooms I customarily teach in, thus I have to compete with traffic, other students, passers-by ... So I have to be extra-entertaining to keep them focused. I use group projects a lot to combat that short attention span problem ... Anyone have any other tactics I can use? Would love to have a few more options ...
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
In addition to all of the strategies that you are already using you might want to so something as simple as changing media. I with do a mini-lecture of 10-15 minutes then an activity, group work, etc.
Then I might come back with a PP presentation,then give handouts to work through. I try and keep movement throughout the class session without moving off of my needed progress through the content. The key is variety of presentation and pace, this is where being creative as a teacher is fun. Thinking of ways of delivering course content in such a way that the students remain engaged and interested.
Gary
Perhaps you can arrange the seating to face away from the windows. Also, breaking the class down into smaller groups and asking for feedback may stimulate a healthy, competitive environment amoung the students thus keeping their attention for longer periods.
The students at our school learn production makeup artistry. Some teachers start with a short lecture, then a video, then a demonstration, then the students have to create a face chart, then do hands on application on each other. They love it.
The teachers that do not use this variety of methods, but perhaps just lecture- seem to have more trouble with absentees and class discipline. I think I figured out why.
I am in a position where I have to teach rather uninteresting and dry material that is still very important to the success of the student in the professional world. Keeping it interesting enough so that the information is learned is going to be a challenge.
Hi David,
Big challenge! Look for ways in which you can insert examples of how this "dry" material will be later used. Use illustrations where ever possible. Look for any place a bit of humor can be introduced that will allow the students to relax for a moment and then get back to the material.
Gary
I have a class were we need to watch a video that does not keep the students attention. I am always finding students falling asleep or doing something else. We made a hand out so the student could follow along and keep them intrested like certain questions they need to answer or a certain process they need to follow thats in the movie it helped a lot. maybe if you made one for your class it would help them stay focused. I hope this help.
John,
I have deliver lecture and demo at the same time. Recently i've been letting the students prepare for the Lab portion of class first thing. Class starts at 7 a.m., so this gets them moving around which i find increases the attention span. They just spent time getting ready for something they don't know how to do yet, so i have them partially invested in the upcomming lecture/demo. In addition to this, i randomly call a student to come forward with their prepared materials, and i demonstrate that day's project to the rest of them with these materials and with that student as an assistant. This forces them to pay attention to details as they prepare, vital in my industry, because their prep "might" be used in front of their peers. Also, they ALL want to be the "chosen" one, even if they say they don't. I spread it around to individual students as well as groups so the "favorite" game is not played.
Bruce Bowers
