Growing up I often found myself being smacked in the back of the head Jethro Gibbs style whenever I wasn't paying attention to something my father was teaching me. Usually this was in response to me daydreaming or being distracted by some toy I had with me while he was trying to teach me how not to mow over my foot or smash my thumb with a hammer. Now as I raise my own child I find myself repeating those same lessons. I don't smack her in the back of the head as I feel that may be more suited to strong willed boys but I do find myself counting back from ten and then repeating myself with patience.
The issue isn't just with my own child. Developing good sessions of professional development often means I have to come up with a hook. Something that will pull the audience in to what I am teaching. I have been known to use everything from food (cookies always work) to 80's vintage GI Joe's. Give a learner something intriguing to touch, read, or view and they will pay more attention to what you have to say. Actually, let me amend that to give your audience something interesting every ten minutes or so to keep your lesson relevant.
Attention and patience are being eroded by the constant barrage of electronic devices, pop culture, and hipster trends that surround us daily. If I don't keep up with those trends a little bit then I lose an opportunity to connect with my audience. Mention Downton Abbey in a room full of English Language Arts teachers and watch the light bulbs click on. On the other side mention that the Higgs Boson particle has finally been discovered and the science room will come alive.
Often I hear teachers and parents lament that our youth are listening to crap, watching crap, and tweeting crap. I hesitate to point out that Elvis, the Beatles, radio and TV were also lumped into the crap categories when they were youths. Watch a class of 20 year olds the next time someone stands up and says "I Facebook, I don't tweet, I don't Tumblr, I don't instagram etc." That individual has now established that not only are they not able to relate to the audience but that they are looking down their noses at those of us who do. No one will pay any further attention to what is said and even if valid information is brought up the audience will ignore you.
One caveat to trying to fit in with all of these trends. Don't pretend to be interested in something you aren't. I can tell you obscure facts about Star Wars, Marvel Superheroes, and toy tractors. Ask me about Star Trek, DC, and toy trains? Yeah not so much. I got lost after Trouble with Tribbles and when the third or is it the fourth Robin died.
The issue isn't just with my own child. Developing good sessions of professional development often means I have to come up with a hook. Something that will pull the audience in to what I am teaching. I have been known to use everything from food (cookies always work) to 80's vintage GI Joe's. Give a learner something intriguing to touch, read, or view and they will pay more attention to what you have to say. Actually, let me amend that to give your audience something interesting every ten minutes or so to keep your lesson relevant.
Attention and patience are being eroded by the constant barrage of electronic devices, pop culture, and hipster trends that surround us daily. If I don't keep up with those trends a little bit then I lose an opportunity to connect with my audience. Mention Downton Abbey in a room full of English Language Arts teachers and watch the light bulbs click on. On the other side mention that the Higgs Boson particle has finally been discovered and the science room will come alive.
Often I hear teachers and parents lament that our youth are listening to crap, watching crap, and tweeting crap. I hesitate to point out that Elvis, the Beatles, radio and TV were also lumped into the crap categories when they were youths. Watch a class of 20 year olds the next time someone stands up and says "I Facebook, I don't tweet, I don't Tumblr, I don't instagram etc." That individual has now established that not only are they not able to relate to the audience but that they are looking down their noses at those of us who do. No one will pay any further attention to what is said and even if valid information is brought up the audience will ignore you.
One caveat to trying to fit in with all of these trends. Don't pretend to be interested in something you aren't. I can tell you obscure facts about Star Wars, Marvel Superheroes, and toy tractors. Ask me about Star Trek, DC, and toy trains? Yeah not so much. I got lost after Trouble with Tribbles and when the third or is it the fourth Robin died.