STRATEGIES IN IMPROVING THE ATTENTION SPAN OF STUDENTS

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in ENG I

Introduction to College English

Submitted To:

Ms. Evalyn B. Abiog

Submitted By:

Group no. 2

I-3

Azores, Arvin Anthony A.

Bamba, Jinnersha Nicole Y.

Bautista, Jose Ian P.

Baylon, Ma. Charina Elisse M.

Canlas, Tracy Gabriella M.

Caoile, Candice C.

Castillo, Vianca C.

Clerigo, Krystelle Jade M.

Cobarrubias, Chantelle D.L

Egana, Alyssa Jane C.

INTRODUCTION

The Traditional way of teaching students in this modern era is no longer

effective. Due to the fast transition from books to online libraries and cartolina posted on

the board to PowerPoint presentations, teachers are having a difficulty in catching the

students’ attention. Their attention doesn’t only depend on the modern techniques but it

also depends on their age and personality. As in group or a class on can seek full

attention by having fun and through enjoyable activities before the start of the class.

Activities should not be repetitive and lame because students get bored when same

things are being asked for them to do.

Attention problems consists of the difficulty that some students have in working

for extended periods of time or the trouble that they have focusing on a subject or an

activity for even a short period of time. In this case, teachers are adjusting to their

students’ needs. Also, teachers can consider motivational strategies. Make the students

interested through self-motivation like for example, rewarding them with extra points and

credits. With this, teachers can take hold of their attention and at the same time it can

uplift their self-confidence; this will mark as their achievement and as an effect it will

make them want more and will do good in class as well.

Either Mental or Physical activities can help before the formal lesson. Physical

activities are much fun to do and easily make someone awake, with these activities; one

can easily get the attention of the students and can easily discuss the lesson for that

day because students are more attentive and alert. Also, students nowadays tend to

focus on something they enjoy compared to things or activities they don’t enjoy.

Many factors affect the attention of students. Environment and Technology are

the two primary factors. As we all know, nobody can concentrate in a warm or dirty

place. Students are often exposed to gadgets and social sites that tend to take away

their attention from their studies and as a result students get really bored with the

lessons and get low grades. Teachers nowadays use PowerPoint presentations, film

viewing etc., to get their students’ attention, but when teachers don’t use these kinds of

innovation students get bored and won’t listen.

The researchers also found out that students, once they know they’ve

mastered a said skill or knowledge; they will divert their attention to other things

because they will find that activity now as a boring one.

This research aims to know the strategies in improving the students’ attention

span. This will surely benefit both the teachers and students; the students in a way that

they can attain good grades in school. In the other hand, teachers will understand their

students’ insights and will be able to adjust to their needs. The school can also benefit

for the school can achieve a higher rank based on their students’ performance. Also,

parents will be benefited for they can understand why their children often receive low

grades in school. In that way no conflict will arise between the two parties; the parents

and their children. Hence, they will also adapt to the situation.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Puchta (2008), an author and linguistic speaker, said students with a poor

attention span are likely to suffer in the critical-thinking skills needed to grow the mind.

He also said that teachers can increase attention spans with goal setting and exercises

to get the blood flowing and the brain focused. According to him, students‘attention

span is shortening and one reason is the increased sensory stimulation that kids get

from computers and television. This lack of attention will lead to poor school

performance and low rate of responsibility which are badly needed in finding for job in

the future.

Likewise, Swing (2010) found out those children who spend too much time

watching television and playing video games are twice at risk in attention problems.

Also, it makes a difference with the kind of video games or television program the child

is playing or watching. Swing specifies that shooting games and problem-solving

programs indicates different attention problems. Then, Christakis (2010) made mention

of ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a genetically originated disorder in

which children are to be so active and lack the appropriate attention span for their age.

But he cleared that the lack of attention span doesn’t necessarily signify that the child

has that kind of disorder.

On the other hand, Elkind (2010) pointed out that teachers contribute more in the

shortening of the students’ attention span. Due to the modern technology and other

factors, students’ attention span shortens and it tends to shorten more because of the

activities and techniques the teachers introduce to their students.

According to Guerin and Mali (2006), students’ attention is greatest when the

student is learning a new process: Once they’ve learned and mastered a task, they tend

to give less attention to that certain subject. They often don’t want to be educated twice

with the same topic. While in the book, Instructional Approaches to Slow learners, it was

said that Non-graded classes rouse attention from the slow learners, it supposedly

eliminates the need for all children to learn the same material at approximately the

same time; but in the case of the slow learners, they should be repeatedly exposed to

the same lessons but with a different approach.

For Dr. Scholten (1993), position in class, adequate sleep, frequent breaks, and

use of hands for physical activity play important roles in maintaining consistent alertness

of student in class. Cegelka and Berdine (1994) said that teachers should assist their

students to focus in class and they can also monitor a student’s performance, give them

a record sheet for example for them to be on track of their performance.

Jones (2001), agrees with Dr. Scholten: Change the seating arrangement once in

a while. Also, modify the instructional media and methods; prevent repetitive teaching

approach to students. The instructor should also show enthusiasm through physical

gestures, vocal delivery and facial expression; humor also has and leaves an impact on

students.

Lifted from a book, Strategies for teaching students with learning and behavior

problems, The Instructional Cycle helps teachers to adjust to a student’s changing

needs. The instructor can seek feedback from his/her students. The instructor should

always consider the attitude and behavior of the students and that they should be

educated differently.

Another side is from Waters (2005). She said that multi-tasking affects the

attention span and focus of students. More tasks done, less attention it gets from the

doer. And with that the student can’t comprehend the lessons and intake the attitudes

they need to learn. Indeed multi-tasking is beneficial but it also has its effects.

From Ayers’s side (2006), other students with serious cases of attention deficit

are believed to be diagnosed with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Some symptoms are: easily distracted, daydreaming, and becoming bored after a few

minutes.

Moreover, teachers, parents and the students themselves should contribute to

lengthen their attention span. Like not spending too much time watching television

program, playing video games and avoid multi-tasking. And for the teachers, they can

develop new ways of attracting and encouraging the students to listen to them.

Lastly, based on the study of Ferris State University, students are more

interested if they can see the actual figure or procedure. Because of this, they

recommend demonstrating, modeling or presenting new information in some ways.

After, the students can perform the same activities by themselves. If the students were

able to master the activity they are now ready for a quiz.

CONCLUSION

Based on the data shown above, students and teachers should have an open

relationship. The whole learning experience should be a partnership between them. The

instructor teaches the students and for the instructors to be efficient the students should

be suggesting strategies or styles to them, so as to the instructors, they have to be open

to criticisms for their improvement; and as for the students, they should also encourage

themselves to study hard. Self-motivation is also important. For every relationship to

work, each party should be stable enough to maintain a harmonious relationship that

will lead to success of both.

REFERENCES

PRINTED REFERENCES:

Ayers, H. (2006). An a to z practical guide to learning difficulties. Great Britain: David

Fulton Publishers.

Cegelka, T.P. & Bernadine, W.H. (1994). Effective instruction for students with learning difficulties. Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A.: Allyn & Bacon.

Elias, M. (2005, March 30). So much media little attention span. USA Today, 2.

Fuller, C. & Taylor, P. (2008). A toolkit of motivational skills: Encouraging and

supporting change in individual (2nd ed). Great Britain: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.

Guerin,G. & Mali, M.C. (2006). Addressing learning disabilities and difficulties: How to

reach and teach every student (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.

Meyers, P.I. & Hammill, D.D. (1976). Methods for learning disorder. Canada: John

Wiley and Sons.

Proctor, R.W. & Read, L.E. (2009). Attention: theories of attention. New Delhi: Sage.

Scholten, T. (1993). The A.D.D. guidebook: A comprehensive, self-directed guide to

addressing attentional concerns in adults and children. Canada: Scholten

Psychological Services.

Vaughn, S. & Bos, C.S. (2009). Strategies for teaching students with learning and

behavior problems (7th ed). Columbus,Ohio: Pearson.

Younie, W.J. (1969). Instructional approaches to slow learning. U.S.A.: Teachers

College Press.

NON-PRINT REFERENCES:

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http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=640801 [2011, June 25]

Painter, M. (2008). Strategies for expanding your child’s attention span. Available:

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/homeschool/strategies-for-expanding-your-child

%E2%80%99s-attention-span-11573264.html [2011, June 25]

Pugliese, L. (2006). How long is a high school-age child’s attention span? High school

attention span (Psychology of learning). Available:

http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/high-school-attention-span/how-long-is-a-

high-school-age-childs-attention-span [2011, June 25]

Signs of unproductive/unmotivated students. Available:

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Signs-Unproductiveunmotivated-Students/68334

[2011, June 25]

Watkins, A. (2010). How to increase the attention span of high school students.

Available: http://www.ehow.com/how_7381671_increase-spans-high-school-

students.html [2011, June 25]