I always have a note highlited when I am half way threw the presentation so I may use several different ways to bring back the audience to the presentation. After about 30 to 45 minutes you may lose them with out some sort of break in your presentation.
Bruce,
Great strategy & a way to keep yourself accountable in giving that break.
Ryan
Yes, real life stories are always a great strategy & humor is a great tool.
Ryan
I try to bring real world story's into my lectures, for me this gets the student back on track and they begin to focus again.
Yes, real world stories & examples are often the best teaching tool.
Ryan
I like to use a long awkward silence to regain their attention.
That's a very interesting strategy. Do you find that this works well?
Ryan
I try to get to know my class.I tie the talking points into the lecture,this way they get more into it.I get great success with this.
I have that problem on occasion when lecturing to a large group of students. What seems to work for me is to change the tone, inflection, or loudness of my voice from time to time.
Vocal variety is very important, yet often overlooked method of holding the audience's attention.
Ryan
I have the advantage of wide isles in my class room, which gives me easy access to the whole room. I try to move around a lot. That way I am able to stand near the students that like to “hide†in the back of the class. They are more likely to answer questions when I am standing next to them and looking at them. I just have to make sure that I don’t draw too much attention to very shy students, so I don’t drive them even farther from being involved.
Marty,
yes movement when presenting is a great tool to use, as long as it's not overdone.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Holding your audiences attention with the use of visuals, personal stories and questions & answers throughout your presentation is helpful, but,do not under estimate the value of physical movement. With a smaller group walking around, using the eye contact and gross motor movements are also engaging.
Adrienne,
these are all great strategies for keeping the audience's attention.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I've learned the need to raise the tone of my voice when transitioning to the next slide or sub-topic. Also, walk around the room (when it is a small audience) so they can feel as I am part of their team and not an intruder. Include personal experiences or facts, can also bring back their attention.
Jose,
it is nice to break down the "wall" that often exists between the speaker & audience.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Ask questions to the audience, walk around and make eye contact.
Jeannette,
this is one of the easiest & best ways to maintain the audience's attention.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
