Disruptive students
Disruptive behavior disrupts my class.
Should I ask them to not to sit together?
These are adults (supposingly)
There are people who are serious about their education.
Francisco,
There are a number of ways of giving attention to students, such as chatting with them before class starts, asking them to share an experience, or do a demonstration. Things like this will keep them engaged and reduce their need to act out to gain attention. You are on the right track with your strategy.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Above all strategies, is it imperative to avoid confrontations in the class room?
Are some of this behavioral practices the ways some students try to call attention? (the attention some do not have at home)
Can a confrontation will give them the sense of successful strategies?
Can we work on often direct the lecture directly to them, with out forgeting the rest of the class, so they know we are there to give the attention they need but for them to learn?.
I try this once and it works, but I do not know if I just was lucky.
Francisco,
Phil,
Good set of strategies to follow. Adult students with behavioral problems are always a challenge because you are trying to manage their behavior in a way that helps them be successful while providing a positive learning environment for everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
My responses to disruptive students vary according to how many times I've had to address their behavior, but my responses are always low-key and without anger. I try to remember their behavior is their responsibility, becoming mine only in the sense that I owe a pleasant learning environment to all students. Interventions start at the lowest possible level but escalate as needed and include;
Stopping instruction until I have everyone's
attention.
Private interview at break time.
Temporary expulsion from the classroom.
(Expulsion ends when the student decides he is
able to pay attention and participate. He
reenters the class at his own chosen time
without conferencing with me.)
Referral to the program supervisor.
I would like to hear about successful interventions others have used. - Phil
Sharena,
You must handle these situations promptly or it is easy to lose control of the class. Your approaches the situation in a kind but firm way to let the disruptive student that behavior will not be tolerated. You are also telling the other students that you are concerned for their learning and what to do everything you can to keep the course moving forward.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I simply ask the student if they would like to leave because the rest of the class would like to continue with our lesson. If student continue on carry on conversation, they are ask to excuse themselves from today lesson. They may also need to speak with Program Director.
Thumbs Up. Everyonne is affected by the disruption of a few students.
Sherise,
Disruptive students affect ALL students. I would separate them as well as have a talk with them about their conduct in the classroom and let them know that classroom conduct is graded accordingly.
Veronica,
Thank you for sharing how you handled your disruptive students. You have to take control or they will and no one will benefit from the class. This is good advice for instructors to consider.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sherise,
If they are serious about their education then they should not be disrupting the class. If they have to be treated like junior high students then that is the way to treat them. Explain to them that you are going to do what ever it takes to set a positive and supportive atmosphere in the class. They will grumble but they will respect you for it and things should turn around.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have the same problem with a group of students in my previous class. These students sat together on one side of the room. During a group activity, they acted like everything was a waste of time; they would complain at first and would be talking loud in their group, disrupting the rest of the class.
What I did was to group them with other students on the next group activities. Their sour faces and remarks showed their disappointment but I always reminded them that in the workplace, they can't choose who they will be working with. That seemed to make sense to them.
These students are adults (most are married and have children), and yet, they can act like a bunch of 5-year-olds. It takes a lot of patience and professionalism for an instructor to be able to deal with disruptive students.
