Friday, November 8, 2013
ARE WE REALLY ALL THAT MOTIVATED IN THE CLASSROOM?
As I sit through majority of my classes, it never fails to amaze me the level of extracurricular activities going on with students. I must admit that I have also been guilty of the occasional 'cat-nap' during class, but then I have a 40 hour workweek in addition to the 12 credit hours I am taking. However when I see fellow students playing poker online, texting, watching videos on Youtube, shopping; most online activities you can name; it begs the question...'How focused are we in the classrooms as college students?' Most of us would agree that the benefits of traditional classrooms far outweigh the online setting, but are we reaping the most out of these benefits if we are not really in-tuned with the learning going on in class. The bigger question is why most students don't feel motivated to focus and interact with the teacher in class? This article brings up some interesting points about what causes the lack of motivation and focus and what teachers can do to try and conquer the issue. http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/motivating-students-with-teaching-techniques-that-establish-relevance-promote-autonomy/. I know for me, the lack of focus at times is simply out of exhaustion but for the rest of us, what are our reasons?
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I have observed similar activities in classes. Ideally all students would be able to pay attention in class, and learn from interactive, creative assignments; however, this is not realistic. The article is interesting, and I can see how these changes would be effective in many courses, but I am not sure they would be possible logistically in large classes. Also, one must consider the fact that each student learns best using a different method. Although I enjoy classes in which the professor uses relevant examples and interacts with students, I will not retain the information unless I read about the subject. We each have a unique learning style and attending classes that are lecture based is not necessarily effective for each student.
ReplyDeleteReasons can vary from exhaustion such as yourself, or simply being bored. The cause of that boredom can itself have many sources. You may already know the material and are forced to hear what you learned in a previous semester, or even the tone in which a teacher uses to speak. If the professor has to teach a class they themselves do not find interesting, the students will also follow in that mindset. However if there is a passion behind the words, it makes it simpler to become involved and immersed in lectures or group projects. There are those that enjoy learning such as myself as well as those who take classes simply because it is requirement. You can do your best to pay attention and become involved but you must be met halfway by the professor instructing the course.
ReplyDeleteYou guys both bring up some good points and as you mentioned Kathleen even though we each have our individual learning styles, the teaching style of the teacher also plays a significant part as mentioned by Kayla. Some teachers just have the gift of gab and make the class interactive and interesting which makes it a lot easier for the student to stay focused
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of it depends on the teacher as well as what type of learner you are. If the professor is not able to keep the attention of the students or goes off on random tangents, the students will not want to stay tuned in to the class material. Also if the student learns best reading from the textbook on their own, it might be less beneficial for them to spend that class time listening to a lecture about that material. I have a crazy work schedule, so I know for myself, sometimes I just get tired and tune into my own little world.
ReplyDeleteI have seen lack of focus in a lot of my college courses. I even have to admit that I am also one of those people at certain times. In my experience, if I am doing something else during a lecture the things that I am doing either pertains to the course I am currently in or one of my other courses. The course that I chose to do other stuff in depends on if I already know the material, who my professor is, and if I can concentrate on the lecture.
ReplyDeleteIn some classes there is absolutely no opportunity to do anything but pay attention. In other classes it seems like I can't find the motivation to pay an ounce of attention to what's actually going on. When I get into the rhythm of things in my classes, I often learn what level of attention is necessary to succeed. Most of my teachers tend to make up their own powerpoint presentations, but then the test material comes straight from the book. In those classes I find it worthwhile to simply study the book, and that not all of the in class information is all that useful. I definitely take credit for not paying attention, but I think sometimes teachers just don't always give me enough of a reason to.
ReplyDeleteWhat the article tries to state is that students don't feel motivated because some professors don't know how to catch student's attention. In my personal experience, it is extremely boring to hear a professor reading slides straight forward from a powerpoint presentation. It doesn't catch my attention at all and unfortunately many professors take this approach to teach classes. Students can read the chapter by themselves. I think it would be more useful if professors would give examples of real life while they are trying to explain the book concepts. However, online classes are not the best approach either. It is extremely easy to loose your focus when you are studying online.
ReplyDeleteTechnically, hearing a professor shouldn't be that hard. Since we are child, we have been thought to hear the person who is in front of the class but, it becomes hard to focus when that person is reading and not teaching.
Another good point Alberto, I have also noticed that I tend to pay attention more in classes where the teacher gives real life examples and applications. I think it just gives more meaning to the usually abstract concepts that come with reading about something in a text book.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think the size of the class affects how motivated students are to participate. In my smaller class of 30 or less I've noticed we have better discussions than those with 300 plus, but I guess if everyone in the 300 plus class wanted to say something there would be no time for a lecture. But I do think when there's more participation from students and more discussion it makes for a better class and it doesn't seem as long and tiring.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great topic. As mentioned repeatedly, we're all different, so we learn differently. I learn better in smaller classes where the teacher doesn't just read from a powerpoint presentation. However, that setting isn't realistic at most universities. Furthermore, I have found it a rarity to find a professor who doesn't just read from a powerpoint. It seems to take academic institutions ages to veer from the prevailing model of education. Students today are accustomed to multitasking. So sitting still for over an hour to listen to a lecture of a subject we are forced to take can be very challenging.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post for the most part. I see all sorts of different activities going on in the classroom. Sometimes though, I feel that the teachers need to make an effort to be interactive and keep the students engaged. Too many teachers just read off slides and speak with no enthusiasm, and in those classes, I am usually doing something unrelated to what the teacher is discussing. It is something the students need to take a look at, since we are paying for this education, but also the teachers have to keep the students engaged through interactive exercises.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a huge distraction for me whether it is my laptop or my phone. Like Binta I am also working 25-35 hours a week along with taking 12 hours of classes. So I really need a small class where I force myself to sit in the front row and pay attention. The sad part is I am blogging this during a lecture :( so obviously sitting in the front row is not helping.
ReplyDelete-Audrey Hyde
I am going to start out by being completely honest and saying that I admit to doing that at various times during different classes and for some classes I never really pay attention and I always question myself why I insist on attending the same class over and over again even when I know I am not getting any added benefit for my time (except for signing that attendance sheet/doing clicker problems). The problem starts when professors really force students to go to their classes by requiring them to attend, but at the same time, my question to every professor, are you really providing me with an added benefit for the time I could have used working/doing anything else beneficial? Because many of us have other big responsibilities outside of that college campus like families, bills, etc. And I don't think anyone has the right to tell me then if you have other responsibilities don't attend college, my answer would be no I will attend college because I am paying for every hour I attend, but I just wish if more and more professors would listen to what the students need rather than how they feel like teaching. Because no matter how much a professor thinks they can teach, reading off of a powerpoint slide or talking at students for an hour and 15 min. is not LEARNING by any means, because I could sleep in, stay in my dorm and read the same exact slides the professor reads to me in class!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex because some classes I'm completely into it, because my professor is making sure I'm engaged, asking specific questions, and doing more than just reading off the slides. However, if I have a professor that doesn't provide any material besides what is already given in the text/slides I definitely start doing work for other classes or socializing with my friends because I feel like I can teach myself this information on my own time. If you were going to just read off the slides I could have just stayed at home!
ReplyDeleteFor me it is a matter of subject matter.if a class bores me, I just surf the net. If the class is pertinent to my major, I am more apt to pay attention and not get sidetracked. For example, operations management bores me to tears. I don't get a lot out of the lectures and my teacher doesn't help too much to make the subject interesting. Sometimes I do homework for other classes in there and sometimes I make my own notes for the class. I guess it all is dependent on my mood. I also believe that with the raising numbers in ADHD some people just can't focus. More people are diagnosed now than were years before.
ReplyDelete