My Own book/Attention

Attention
We are now ready to learn about another factor affecting learning in our module on ATTENTION

Carry out the following activity.

You were trying to concentrate your consciousness on one object. You were attending to that object.

 Characteristics of attention •Attention is focusing consciousness on one object. One object is the focus of attention. All other objects are in the margin of attention.(Right now, what is the focus of your attention? what objects are in the margin of your attention?) •Attention is selective. We choose to attend to one object in preference to others. •Attention is constantly shifting from focus to margin •Attention is a state of preparedness where the muscles and sense organs ready themselves for attending •Attention cannot be divided between two mental tasks.

There are several factors that affect attention. Objective factors:These are factors inherent in the object of attention
 * 1) Movement: Eg...An animated picture elicits more attention than a still picture
 * 2) Size of an object: Eg...Large letters attract more attention than tiny font.
 * 3) Contrast:Eg...Dark letters stand out against a light background.
 * 4) Colour: Eg...Colours, especially bright ones, gain more attention than drab colours
 * 5) Novelty:Eg..A new gimmick in advertising is an instant hit
 * 6) Change in stimulii: Eg.... If the clock suddenly stops its ticking, it is likely to attract attention.If a teacher pauses in the midst of the lecture, the students are likely to pay more attention to the next few words
 * 7) Intensity: Eg...A glaring light, a sharp sound, fluorescent markers serve as attention grabbers.
 * 8) Repetition: Eg... Words of a song that are repeated or words in a lecture that are repeated attract attention.

There are also some subjective factors that affect learning. These are factors inherent in the subject. For example :If I attend to a news item about Wikieducator, it is due to some factor present in me.It is because I am interested in Wikieducator. Thus interest is a subjective factor affecting attention.Read the following case study and identify the subjective and objective factors affecting attention.

 What factors of attention did you notice? In Morris' case it is an internal factor (worry, mental set, past experience)that keeps his attention focussed on the pouring rain. In Dheeraj's case it is an objective factor(intensity of the aroma of corn) that gets his attention coupled with an internal physiological factor(hunger)that makes him attend to the corn being roasted. However the novelty of the puppet show is able to help him switch over his focus of attention.In case of Shalini, it is interest that makes her attend to the lesson. For Mohan, it is an inner drive to succeed that results in his paying attention. Did you notice factors affecting attention could be object based(objective factors) or person based (subjective factors). Some subjective factors are: Relationship between Interest and Attention Interest is latent attention. Attention is interest in action. Interest is learning ensures that the learner pays attention. Read more at http://www.preservearticles.com/201105206852/contribution-of-attention-and-interest-in-learning.html http://www.preservearticles.com/201105206853/interest-and-attention.html
 * 1) interest
 * 2) mental conditions
 * 3) attitude of the learner

Deeper Learning


If you are interested in knowing more about attention you may read about Problems associated with attention. See http://www.prattcenter.com/?psychological-evaluations/attention-problems http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml See this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q86_KoXVRMw Take this online test and find about your own attention span. See http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/cgi-bin/health/transfer_health.cgi?partner=pt&test=attention

Humour in learning
Check these cartoons. http://www.glasbergen.com/education-cartoons/?album=4&gallery=87 Keep smiling!