How To Capture And Hold Your Students’ Attention On Virtual Lessons
There exists a strategy you’re probably not using that will better capture and hold your students’ attention during virtual lessons.
It’s incredibly simple.
But it initiates a series of positive changes to your lesson delivery that can have a profound impact on your students and their attitude toward online learning.
Just by doing this one thing, many other good things will begin happening, like the fall of dominoes.
For example, you’ll become more interesting. Your charisma and dynamism will improve. Your eyes will naturally brighten, along with your smile and personality.
You’ll also start having a lot more fun.
Your students, in turn, will want to participate more. Their motivation, listening, and attentiveness will increase. They’ll too start having more fun.
Moreover, the strategy effectively builds rapport and influence, which can be a challenge over Zoom.
So what is it? Can you guess? Remember, it’s something you’re going to do. I’ll give you a few more hints:
It’s a physical move.
It takes one second.
It’s healthy for you.
That’s right, you got it.
You’re going to stand up during directed lessons. This one thing will cause you to teach more authentically and make your lessons worth watching.
Now, I realize that when you’re sharing a screen or using a document camera you may need to sit down. But at every opportunity, you must stand.
This may require making adjustments to your lessons, but it’s well worth it. It’s why top performing YouTubers rarely share their screen. They know that it’s them and their uniqueness that draws viewers and keeps them watching.
Many years ago I installed a stand-up desk. It’s where I do all of my writing. But now I also teach from it. Occasionally, I’ll sit on a tall stool, but for the most part I stand the entire lesson.
A few helpful hints:
Pretend.
If you act as if you’re in front of your physical classroom, you’ll immediately become more dynamic. Your personality will shine and you’ll better connect with your students.
Use an Easel.
Instead of relying heavily on a document camera or Zoom whiteboard, teach from an easel or, if you’re Zooming from school, use your class whiteboard.
Stand back.
By moving a few feet away from your camera, students can see your body language and hand gestures. You may also try setting up a mirror behind you or slightly off to the side for a more complete representation.
Move.
Moving occasionally from one side to the other or closer and farther from your camera makes the picture more interesting. Think of your lessons as a story or performance art. Have fun with it.
Have students stand.
Invite your students to stand and mimic your moves. Use hand gestures, body movements, and echoing to get students physically involved in their learning.
Teach!
I spent a week in PD training recently, and besides the heavy-handed politics infusing every meeting, the biggest disappointment was how boring and needlessly complex the advice was.
It’s hard enough for students to be separated from friends and social interaction. That they have to sit and stare at yet another screen and watch videos rather than receive real teaching is a tragedy.
Don’t let it happen on your watch.
Plan your lessons much like you would in the classroom. Use props and costumes. Summarize or draw up key points on an easel.
And for the love of all things good and true, stand up.
Move. Laugh. Dance. Emote. Have some fun.
Your students will take up your cue. They’ll become excited each day to see you and their classmates. They’ll smile and feel genuine happiness, perhaps for the first time in months.
Most important, however, is that they’ll learn.
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