How can teachers develop attention spans in the classroom?

In the age of TikTok and Reels, pupils lose interest very quickly as they have become accustomed to short, sharp entertainment and information. Teachers face a considerable challenge to keep pupils on track and focused in the classroom.

Poor attention leads to a lack of learning and retention, so finding out more about proven techniques that can be used to optimise pupils’ attention is essential.

Why is attention so vital?

Without attention, new knowledge is lost and not memorised. Different tasks require different types of attention.

• Selective
• Sustained
• Divided
• Focused

Guide to Optimising Attention in the Classroom.

Social and digital media have shortened attention spans, yet attention is critical for retaining learning, critical thinking, and acquiring new knowledge.

Lucía González Cañas (2024) has completed new research into the neuroscience of attention regarding learning and suggests techniques teachers can use to help pupils.

One method, HERVAT, has been proven to increase engagement and concentration. HERVAT creates an optimal environment for developing attention spans in the classroom.

What is HERVAT?

HERVAT was modelled by Spanish researcher Tomás Alonso Ortiz for use by teachers in the classroom.

• Hydration
• Equilibrium
• Respiration
• Vision
• Audition
• Touch

Simple activities at the start of each lesson, such as focused breathing or exercises, can be used to reset attention. Allowing water bottles to keep pupils hydrated will also help.

Teachers can use these techniques alongside stimulating openers to engage attention.

Incorporating hydration, equilibrium, respiration, vision, audition, and touch into classroom activities can enhance pupil attention by engaging multiple senses and promoting physiological well-being.

Here’s an example:

1. Begin with a short activity, such as focused breathing or a game.
2. Stimulate curiosity with a real-world dilemma.
3. Encourage pupils to work collaboratively to discuss solutions.
4. Use images on the IWB to allow pupils to visualise their learning and make connections.
5. Scaffold tasks to meet the needs of different levels of confidence.
6. Use Peer assessment to encourage the sharing of ideas and different strategies.

What else should teachers know about attention?

In addition to HERVAT, there are other strategies teachers can reflect on.

1. Think about how your classroom encourages focus. You want your classroom to inspire pupils but not distract them from tasks. Younger children may benefit from a calmer environment where the stimulation comes from activities.
2. Develop lessons to stimulate curiosity, especially with younger pupils. Curiosity is the antithesis of boredom and poor attention and will encourage pupils to engage with learning fully.
3. It might help to consider the timetable and what subjects are better taught before attention wanes, such as first thing. We all know how hard it is to concentrate once we get hungry or are tired at the end of the day. It’s a topic worth discussing with school leaders when setting up the timetable.
4. Finally, there is the challenge of using repetition to reinforce learning without lessons becoming boring. Keeping pupils active in their learning can compensate for repetition and is necessary to retain new knowledge.

Remember! Simple changes can have a powerful effect on successful learning.