not a student anymore but got self-concious anyway: can you make up for not looking like you're paying attention by participating in other ways? because i.. can't listen if i have to look.
Bit confused by this, wondering if it is a difference in countries/courses. In the university seminars that I teach, students have to participate by answering questions and by getting involved with the general discussion. Period. Some TAs are more lenient than others in terms of enforcing this, but my students are all told to come prepared to engage with the material. So it doesnāt matter how you appear, as long as you do your work and contribute something. It doesnāt have to be a lot, as long as you say something.
(Also if this was in reference to my last post, you know my problem wasnāt that he didnāt look as if he was paying attention, it was that he was rude and aggressive, right?)