How to get students attention

Index

1. Attention conditions2. Attention types3. Strategies to get children attention4. Mantaining attention5. Innapropiate teachers behaviour.

1. Attention Conditions

External reasons:

Consequence of the atmosphere. They help the pupil mantain his attention to those stimulus that are proposed to them, in other words, it depends on the enviroment.

a) Stimulus Strength:A sharp, loudor distinctivesound is capable of catching our attention

For example, the teacher canplay across a xylophone. The same occurs with strong colourscomparedto soft colours.

b) Change

When we experiencesome kind ofchange, it modifies our field of perception; our attention is drawn to the stimulus that alters the stability of asituation.

c) SizeBig flashcards

This technique is also used in commercials or advertisements.

d) RepetitionA repetitive weak stimulus canhave a bigimpacton the attention level

For example, the teachermight clap out a rhythm andhave his studentsrepeat the pattern.

e) MovementThe movement of an image (whether real or not) causes a reaction, which makes ita powerful attention-catcher.

Example: The curtains or blinds of the classroom should be closed in orderto keepthe students' attention in class.

f) ContrastWhen a stimuluscontrastswith the other stimuli around it, it stands out. Two situations may occur:1. The contrast resultsbecause the stimulus was absent until that moment. 2. Thecontrast is caused by the realization that something which was previously present has disappeared.

g) Structural organisation

Stimulus must be organised andranked in order for the information to be received properly.

The teacher must present thematerial neatly.

Internal reasons:

The internal determinants arethose which refer to the pupil.

They depend on theindividual and they condition his/her learning even more, not only in the capacity and development of his/her attention, butin his/her overall performance.

a) Emotion Stimuliwhich cause strong emotions tend to attract our attention

Example: If a person is thirsty, it is obvious that he will be moreattracted by stimulus linked to this necessity, say, a glass ofwater

b) Interests

Thisrefers to those things that attract the students, depending on what they like

c) The Course of Thought

Ifa stimulus is presented to aperson, and this person,at that moment, isthinking of something similar or related to it, the stimulus will get his attention immediately

2. Attention typesFocused attention: This is the ability to respond discretely to specific visual, auditory or tactile stimuli.

Sustained attention: This refers to the ability to maintain a consistent behavioral response during continuous and repetitive activity.

Selective attention: This level of attention refers to the capacity to maintain a behavioral or cognitive set in the face of distracting or competing stimuli. Therefore it incorporates the notion of "freedom from distractibility"

Alternating attention: It refers to the capacity for mental flexibility that allows individuals to shift their focus of attention and move between tasks having different cognitive requirements.

Divided attention: This is the highest level of attention and it refers to the ability to respond simultaneously to multiple tasks or multiple task demands.

3.- Strategies to catch students attentionBegin a familiar phrase and have your finish it

Meanwhile...Back at the Ranch Chitty Chitty...Bang Bang To Infinity...And Beyond Who you gonna call?...Ghostbusters Are you ready kids?...Aye Aye Captain Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?...SpongeBob Squarepants

Raise your hand quietly and wait until everyone else has his or her hand raisedClap in a rhythm and have your students repeat the pattern.Switch the light once.Ring a bell.Play across a xylophone.Clap in a rhythm and have your students repeat the pattern.

Star Method

Traditional Authority UseStopwatch

Magic word technique

Their attention will magically appear when you use a MagicWord For example, if you were studying a unit on geometry, you might say: Class, since we are studying geometry, I am going to use the word parallelogram when I want your attention.

4. Mainteining attention

Is known that students use to lose attention if the class is boring, static and monotone. In fact, the teacher has to surprise more and more students changing the methods and strategies every day, if its possible, to motivate them.

What can the teacher do to maintein the students attention?Create a good class atmosphere where kids can feel comfortable and active in the group. Dynamic lessons to make each class different.

Create a good class atmosphere.Respect and friendship- Recognize the authority.- Work in harmony among equals. Good class organization- Well prepared lessons: time, activities, games, etc.- Classroom spaces.- Decoration.

Dynamic lessonsDifferent methods. Choose the better method for each topic. Try to be original and dont repeat.

Variety of exercises. Work can be funny!

5. Inappropiate behaviour of the teacherYelling: is not recommended because it increases the noise level in the room and projects non-verbally that you are not in control.

Use always the same intonation: It creates a monotone lesson.