Learning to discipline
I am teaching for the first time and I have never been in a situation where I have had to "discipline" anyone. I have some students in my class that tend to talk too much at times. I am struggling to find ways to control this behavior and also to be more assertive with them. Is this something that gets easier with time?
Somer,
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice with us. This information will be of great help to new instructors as they strive to set the tone for their classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I've struggled with this in the past myself. I have now been teaching for 5 years and I still get anxious in a new class when I see the need for discipline arise- especially as someone who is very non-confrontational. A few things I have found to help ease my discomfort is to explain why I have the rules I have. With regards to talking, I tell students to imagine themselves up at the front of the room lecturing- what would happen for them if a few students started talking? Would they lose their place? Would they think they were the topic of the student's conversation? If all else fails, I simply stop what I am doing and stare until they stop. Then I remind them of the rules and ask them to talk to me after class where I issue "formal" warnings. The combination of these methods is usally enough to keep everone on task each class. Every class is different and you will probably have to find new methods as you gain more experience. Just remember, you deserve their respect!
Hope that helps...
Jessica,
Thank you for these comments about how you have developed your student behavior management skills. You are right about experience and developing the understanding that you have to do what is needed to maintain control of the classroom. If you don't they will take over and interfere with the learning of others.
I know these comments will be helpful for beginning instructors.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Discipling definitely gets easier with time. I have been teaching for two years and just recently has it become easier for me. I feel that my students before walked all over me and I didn't know what to do other than vent when I got home. I now know that if you restate the rules of the classroom, it generally stops. I also remind my students that they signed a form in the beginning of term that they understood the repercussions of not following the rules. I usually give one verbal warning and then they getting written up. I feel as though the rest of the class should not have to be distracted with someone having a personal conversation during lecture. When my students see that I am not discipling because "it's fun" but because I want a classroom environment that everyone can reach their full potential in, it usually takes away the "discipline" part of and changes it to a "you are disrespecting your classmates" issue. Hope this helps!
Florence,
I like your "gentle" approach to reminding the students that they need to stay focused on what is being said. I am sure you get their attention with the quizzes and they get a valuable lesson that will help them when they are working.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I teach for the medical field, I point out on the first day during my class room rules that if there is too much side chatter they might miss something very important. So if they apply this rule to the clinic by having to much "girl talk" they could miss a quick comment from a doctor as to a treatment plan or even worse hear it wrong and do something that could endanger their patient. So to keep this from happening I give little pop quizzes on the days they did not listen to prove my point.
Jeanne,
You make a good point about student management. I would add make sure you are consistent in your enforcement of your policies and rules. This way you can keep the class moving forward without excessive disruptions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find that it helps to start off letting them know you're the boss and their are rules to follow. If you start off weak on discipline and then try to get stricter, it's more difficult. Lay down the law on day one, and don't stray from it. And of course you have to treat everyone equally. If you make an exception for one student, you will have to make that same exception for everyone.
Allison,
Yes, it does get easier as you gain experience. Don't be afraid to assert yourself as the class leader. Lay out your policies and requirements clearly and the be consistent in enforcing them. For example, if you have a no cell phone use rule in your class then make sure to follow your rule. Once a few students start to use their phones and see that nothing happens then they will start to come to class late, have side conversations and they ease the control of the class away from you. You can limit the talkative students by just pausing and saying "we need to give other an opportunity to talk, Jane what is your opinion on _________ fill in the blank." It won't take long for the talkative students to get the message and if they don't then talk with them individually and ask for their help in keeping the class on target by limiting their questions/discussions/interruptions. Asking for their help generally puts them on your side since you are asking for their help and they are being recognized.
Start the class on time and be clear and concise on what is going to be accomplished that day so they will see you as the learning leader. You are going to do fine as you develop your class management skills.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
