Why can't my students pay attention? It's a deceptively simple question that's increasingly on teachers' minds.
It's not about "fixing" students facing distractions—digital or otherwise. Rather, it's about looking at inattention in new ways and adopting proven, attention-promoting strategies that are learner-centered, respectful, and effective. In Promoting Student Attention, psychologist and educator Robin Wisniewski
• Discusses what attention is and offers a framework for thinking about student attention.
• Explains how to assess inattention in the classroom and find root causes.
• Introduces five principles for promoting attention, along with strategies to use right away.
• Addresses ADHD—what it is and isn't—and presents targeted approaches to help students with specific inattention or impulsivity issues.
• Shares the experiences of real teachers who have created conditions for attention in their classrooms.
Reviewed by Carol Campbell, PhD
Vice President for Education
Southwestern Union Conference
Authors: Tom Rath and Don Clifton
