Teacher Advice: 5 Ways to Keep Your Class Focused

A good classroom environment is important for students’ learning. Teaching requires the ability to control a classroom, and good classroom management techniques can help tutors achieve this. Classroom management can be somewhat challenging, especially for the less experienced teachers.

Classroom management can take many forms including discipline, rewards and punishment, and behavior modification. It’s required in most school environments, and in some workplaces, too – when delivering education or instructions to the workers.

Teaching can be one of the most rewarding jobs, and it can also be one of the most challenging. When kids are focused, they usually listen. When they’re not, they get bored, they struggle, they act out, and hence, distract their peers. Instructors can help pupils focus and stay on task by teaching techniques that help them stay focused and present during a class.

This quick guide will help you create a relaxed atmosphere in your class, and find quick answers when students need your help – “Can you explain this again?” and “Do my physics homework, please” will become your new challenges and practice experiences. So, let’s get into the techniques to help create a new and engaging class!

1. Be Patient

Besides those important soft skills, patience is an invaluable teaching tool. Whether you’re teaching students in the traditional classroom or an online class, patience is a key ingredient for success.

When you’re giving a lecture, you need to remember that your learners are people, and people make mistakes. It’s easy to get frustrated by their mistakes. Remember, though, that mistakes are a valuable learning tool as long as you give your tutees ample time to correct them.

When you find yourself getting annoyed or impatient, remind yourself that they’re not trying to annoy you. They’re not trying to frustrate you. They’re just learning. And the more you encourage them, the stronger their motivation to learn will become. Patience is really just the ability to stay calm in the face of frustration – if you temper your anger and frustration, your pupils will find it easier to learn from you.

2. Use Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication, also known as nonverbal behavior, is any message that is sent without words. It specifically encompasses nonverbal signals such as gestures, expressions, and posture.

Nonverbal communication is particularly important in teaching because it conveys many messages and emotions. While teachers can use verbal communication to convey such messages, nonverbal communication is sometimes easier, faster, or more effective.

For example, a teacher can use body language to signal when a student is misbehaving. If the teacher raises his or her eyebrows and frowns, this nonverbal message could mean that they’re talking out of turn. Teachers can also use nonverbal signals to convey empathy and provide support and encouragement.

Another example is when a tutor points a finger at a child when he or she is misbehaving. This nonverbal message can convey the teacher’s disapproval of that student’s actions. Teachers can also send nonverbal messages through facial expressions – for example, a teacher can smile to encourage or give thumbs up to indicate that a student is doing a good job.

3. Engage Students in Activities

Use a variety of activities to engage. While you may think that students who get bored easily are a lost cause, the opposite is true. Some just need something a bit more interactive to keep them focused. It’s also important to vary the activities you do, so pupils don’t get bored and quit – consider using Jeopardy, or having a group discussion about a certain topic in a fun setting. Here are some more ideas to engage your students more easily.

Reward students for good behavior

Children often respond well to positive reinforcement, so use positive incentives to encourage good behavior. For example, you could give a prize for the best answer or to those who provide the most feedback.

Have students work in teams

When they reach a benchmark, give them an opportunity to work together in a team. This can help boost morale and help them develop strong social skills.

4. Play Games

Classroom management isn’t just about keeping order, it’s also about keeping students challenged and engaged. While you shouldn’t avoid educational activities entirely, it is important to find a good balance. When kids get bored, they stop paying attention and stop learning.

One way to keep students focused is to incorporate games into the classroom. These games should reinforce the lesson and allow all to have fun while still learning. Here are some ideas for games you can use in your classroom:

• Play a game before class starts. Many teachers start the school day with icebreaker games. These games can be fun, engaging and help students connect better. Also, they can set the tone for the day.
• Choose games that require teamwork. Games that require collaboration work great in a group setting, where everyone is working together to achieve a common goal.
• Pick games that fit the learning style. Some games are better suited to certain learning styles. For example, some respond better to a competitive game, while others work better when they work in groups.

6. Use Your Natural Voice for Teaching

The tutor’s voice is an important tool in learning. It signals to students that the teacher is prepared, focused, and in charge. It also signals that the teacher is open to questions and questions will be answered. A tutor who uses his or her voice well, communicates to students that learning is an active, shared process.

Here are some tips for using your voice as a tool in learning:

• Use your natural voice. Your voice is powerful, so use it to convey enthusiasm and excitement. Don’t speak loudly, however, or your voice will become grating. Just use enough volume to get attention without overwhelming or pushing kids away from you.
• Speak in short sentences. Make your sentences short and easy to understand. You can ask your learners to repeat sentences to help them understand.
• Speak with clarity. Speak slowly and clearly. Some tutors today are trying to sound cool or “smart.” But it’s hard to teach students when you don’t sound like yourself.
• Listen. Listen to students. When they ask questions, answer them as clearly as you can, and confirm if the message was understood.

Final Thoughts

Teachers all have the same goal — to create a learning environment where pupils are motivated, engaged, and excited about learning. But, did you know those classroom environments can have a huge impact on learners’ behavior and performance?

A classroom environment that motivates learning isn’t just about having fun. It is about inspiring students to be curious about the world. It is about inviting them to push their boundaries – and it is about challenging them and motivating them to become the best version of themselves.