Too Much Talking

You know, you really can say too much. I learned this recently. Sometimes you just have a captive audience and you could talk forever (and you do) but it really isn't that helpful to anyone else or even yourself. What should you do when you find yourself talking and talking and talking... and no one is listening or looking or caring? Well, let's get to it!

There I was, being a good instructor and responding to my students' needs when all of the sudden: they weren't paying attention! This was, for me, shocking since I am generally able to command at least some amount of attention from my students. But alas! On this day something was different.

For one thing, we've been working on final scenes. This means that we're:

1. Meeting outside of normal class time.
2. Meeting with a small group (3 people total - including me!) and...
3. Under the most stressful time of the year (Finals!)

These changing circumstances certainly ensure that the dynamic will be different. One of the most notable differences is that I am the only person in the room who can give feedback. My feedback is pretty good. I've got a pretty well trained eye and ear and mind for this type of thing... so there's no defect there... but something is askew. Perhaps it's one or all of the three reasons listed above. Whatever the case may be a change must be made.

• Change #1 - STOP TALKING
• You know what, teacher, your advice is really good, but nobody needs to hear the same thing three or more times. Say it once, explain it, but don't indulge.
• Change #2 - QUESTIONS
• Ask if they have questions. If they do you'll answer them. If they don't, they won't ask. And you've got to trust that if they have questions they will ask.
• Change #3 - FINISH
• There's no reason to sit around and drag things out. We know you care... but you're a busy person too, right? If there aren't questions and you've said what you can say then go. Go do the things you need to do and trust that if they need to speak with you they'll find the time. Not everything is on your shoulders, Teach.

Now get back to work!