As a teacher, there is often no greater frustration than inattentive students. Instead of getting discouraged, change your tactics and take concerted steps toward engaging student learning. 1. Be aware of your tone and bearing: How you conduct yourself is as important as the lessons you're teaching. If your gestures and facial expressions convey defeat or disinterest, your students may mirror your attitude. You're the leader of the pack; your enthusiasm and respect for the subject matter can be the key factor in motivating your students. 2. Draw on group dynamics: Peer dynamics in a classroom can be complex. Be aware of student behavior, cliques and interpersonal conflicts. Draw on the contributions of all of your students and offer each the opportunity to lead discussions. Pay particular attention to students who are withdrawn or self-conscious about showing interest. 3. Connect with your students: A fruitful student-teacher relationship is based on honesty and trust. Students will respond to--and benefit from--a connection with their instructor. If you're able to catch their attention and hold it, you can better impart your lessons. Share relevant examples and anecdotes from your own life as you explain core concepts. Demonstrate that you're interested in their academic futures and career goals by asking questions. 4. Relate content to daily life: How can you make abstract topics relevant to your students' lives? Use illustrative examples while engaging student learning. For instance, help them see how seemingly abstract topics in thermodynamics directly apply to their lives--from how engines function to the sun's life cycle. Select controversial topics to spark lively debate and discussion. 5. Increase individual students' motivation: Work privately with students who seem to be struggling, and tailor your teaching style to help them improve. Motivating students is often a matter of understanding each individual's difficulties with the material. If you know that some students are intimidated when answering questions in front of the class, ask questions to which you’re sure they know the answers. 6. Practice humor in the classroom: Humor may be one of the most powerful tools for engaging students with activities. Incorporate jokes that are relevant to the topic. And don’t worry too much if the class gets off-topic for a few minutes because of lively discussion--you're building a rapport. Some students may take overly sarcastic humor at face value, so keep your jokes light and obvious, and avoid directing your humor toward any student in particular.