How to Give Individual Attention to Students in a Large Class
Every single individual in a classroom is a unique entity with intellectual, social, and emotional needs that are quite different from others. Their learning styles are different and they have varied potential to grasp study concepts in school as well. So, how does one give individual attention to a large group of students with varied talents and potentials?
A Teacher Listening to her Group of Students.
This is a question that is asked in most schools these days. The concept of individual attention is a heavily discussed matter as there are numerous benefits to this teaching method. By paying individual attention, teachers will be able to boost the productivity of students and make them more confident about their skills. But how is that possible when you have a classroom full of kids. In this article, we are going to have a detailed discussion about it.
Benefits of Paying Individual Attention to Students
Students these days need attention and motivation to go through their daily routines. Seeing that they live incredibly hectic and pressuring lives between study, sports, and extracurricular activities, it is important that they have someone who can boost their morale from time to time and guide them in the right direction. With individual attention, such a goal can be achieved. Mentioned below are some of the other benefits of individual attention in class.
Focus Enhancement
According to research, the attention span of children has declined over time. Only when we are able to pay individual attention to a child and they have complete focus on a task, will they be able to learn anything. With individual attention, the learner will be able to put major focus and attention on the activity that they are doing. This will in turn make the learning process fruitful.
Talent Identification
There is always someone who is at the top of the class. But does that mean other students aren’t important enough? Is academics the only thing that matters? Different children these days have unique talents which can be brought to the limelight with the action of parents and teachers alike. Having close interactions with students can help in the identification of their unique talents in the best way. Try and plan out some individual activities for students to see what they are good at. It will surely be of great help.
Health Class Environment
It is important to have a congenial atmosphere to bolster effective learning in classrooms. Identifying the unique characteristics of each student in terms of emotional needs, physical challenges, and behaviour can help in nurturing general class health for sure.
Creating Interest
Classroom instructions with students are more advantageous if you interact with everyone individually. The students need to have an equal opportunity for general attention and interest regarding a certain activity. Hence, if more personalized instruction is provided to the student, it is more likely to show effect.
Essential Tips on Giving Individual Attention to Students
Students in a classroom can flourish when attention is given to them individually. But doing so isn’t an easy feat since classrooms these days are filled with excited learners and unique minds. With these simple tips, teachers will be able to provide individual attention to students.
Publish Any Work by Them
One of the best ways to honour an individual student in your class is to recognize the work that they are doing in the class every single day. One of the best ways to do that is by publishing any work that they have done. Perhaps you can hang the painting drawn by a student on the wall or you could feature a poem written by a student in the school magazine.
Stay Constantly on the Move
This one might be a bit obvious, to begin with, but it is also a tip that most teachers tend to forget. If you want to offer each student individual attention, you have to be on your feet and constantly moving. The main goal here is to make students feel appreciated. This is one of the best ways to gather their attention and make them more interested in learning.
Strategic Seating
Seating arrangements are often seen as a way to promote certain behaviours of collaboration in children. However, it can also be a medium to have streamlined and more systematic access to individuals in the class. After some time, you will start to notice and understand what each student needs from you.
Use Technology
Technology is one of the best ways to make sure that students feel honoured and attended to in their class. From boosting their confidence and interactions on social media to providing online classes, there are different ways to make sure that they are able to focus on their work better. In this way, students will also learn how to pay attention in online class. The more attention you put on them through technology, the more focused they will be.
Project-Based Learning
The method of project-based learning is practised as a flexible tool that helps in framing academic standards into the curriculum of schools. However, it can also be used for honouring the individual students. A tad bit different from the one-size-fits-all method of teaching, project-based lessons would force both students and teachers to make their way through the academic content. Hence, students can become more accountable for their actions.
Value Creativity
By giving the students some open-ended assignments, you will be able to include the individual choice and voices of different students. See what approach they take to complete the assignment and then reward them for their success. This is the best way to boost creativity amongst the students and provide them with more support.
Conclusion
It is important to honour and appreciate the unique talents and needs of students in the classroom and that can only be done with the help of individual attention. By changing the perspective and teaching methods a little bit, teachers can provide individual attention to the students. This will further lead to a boost in confidence, and productivity and will also teach them how to be attentive in class.
