Does Listening and Looking Pay?

Oman
February 12, 2011 4:23am CST
Since early age, my biological father always reminded me this line, "You're not listening if you're not looking." I have exemplified this statement until I became the master of m own class - a teacher. One time, when I was presenting a particular discussion in class along with visual materials on the class board, I've noticed a pupil, who among a group of 35 in class, was not paying any attention at all to what is being discussed and executed in front. He seemed to be doing his thing on his work station. So as not to embarrass him, I indirectly called the attention of this pupil by requesting him to give his idea or concept and a supporting example at least on the discussion being presented and to my surprise he was able to give the exact idea which I was anticipating among his classmates who didn't respond at all! He even supported his idea with not just one or two examples but three! Is it possible that this pupil was listening even without looking? Is this a common scenario in a general or mainstream class?
2 people like this
3 responses
sais06
@sais06 (1284)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
I believe that it is a form of respect to look at the speaker while listening. I always look while listening and if possible look into the eyes. There are times that we listen but doesn't look and that doesn't give assurance to the presenter or speaker that we are interested at all. I know that teachers are putting a lot of their effort making those lessons and I don't want them to feel disappointed. I have so much respect for them so no matter how unpleasant a teacher is or a teacher teaches. As a teacher also, they should try to know more about their students especially their behavior so that they won't be mistaken with their personality. Students differ in behavior and that's what teachers should anticipate.
sender621
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
12 Feb 11
I believe that both looking and listening do go hand in hand. It is hard to be doing one without doing the other. It will be a halfhearted reward if you are leaving one out.
jhaidro
@jhaidro (877)
• Philippines
12 Feb 11
Sometimes, things are not the way they seem. It is a funny thought because it surprises you in the weirdest way. I have a classmate which looks very odd. He seems like he has his own world and he does not pay attention to everything. But it turns out, he was very observant and he notices everything around him. In the long run, I found out that we have common interests. Some would say that people are anti-social for being so quiet and alone most of the time but at times they tend to be the most observant and the most exciting personality among the crowd. Especially in class rooms, sometimes people think beyond the things presented in the room that is why they sometimes are judged as someone arrogant who does not listen to things.