Dealing with Students who are opinionated
My first term I taught I had a student that had an opinion about everything I said. I didn't know how to deal with the situation at first but after awhile she backed off. I needed her to trust me I think and believe I knew what I was talking about.
The question card solution sounds perfect. Almost in all the classes I have taught, I always have that one student that is very opinionated, attempts to take over the classroom with numerous questions, etc. I do not mind questions from my students as I think it enriches the learning process. However, when it starts to take away from the classroom time, it becomes a nuisance and as others say other students get annoyed. I am going to try this technique. Thank you for sharing!
Karen,
I have used the question card system to control the input/questioning of a dominant student with good results. Thank you for sharing it with us because I think it is an effective tool for maintaining control of the class and it still enables all students to ask questions and have input.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I get a student like this in every new class start. If I let them take over, it annoys the other students. I like to give students 3 question cards they can use during the class. Once they're used up, no more questions. It helps students be more selective and lets everyone have a chance to be involved.
Mark,
This is a new one to me, not sure how to answer your question. Most of the time I have trouble getting them to think about state boards, they just focus on the course. I would start by having a talk with this student because she is not going to pass your course if she doesn't do the work and participate. If she doesn't pass the course then I am assuming that she will not be able to sit for boards. She needs to see the connection between the course content and her ability to pass boards which will enable her to enter her field. If she doesn't see this connection then I would suggest a talk with Student Services and have someone explain to her how all of these items fit together to complete her career preparation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have a student that spends all her time studying board review books and questions rather than learning the actual subject. How do I get this student to understand learning the basics of the the real material is where she should place her efforts?
Hugh,
I have seen a correlation in my class', that many opinionated students voice their insights as an approach to control the class.The same students, will come disruptively late to class. In a vocational ed. school setting, classes should be regarded no differently than any employment setting. Professionalism comes first in the classroom and then later, successfully practiced in the workplace. For those such students, if they are late for class, they are redirected to lab stations to complete their outstanding lab assignments as an effort to not disrupt and reduce our professional class setting..
Ben
Hi Tammie,
I think we all have experienced this type of student, over time the student begins to aquire a certain level of respect for you the expert.
Tiffany Waddell
Freddie,
This is an important part of classroom management. Setting the stage to where students feel free to discuss topics and raise question is critical but they must do in in an orderly manner that enables everyone to contribute.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students should be reminded to express their opinions. However, they should be reminded to never be diruptive in class. Insructors should use the students opinions as an opportunity to develop even more knowledge about the subject matter.
Darrold,
Good way to defuse a situation and keep control of the class while showing the challenging student that you are listening.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I too run in to this from time to time. Once it becomes obvious the student will not relent and I am unable to satisfy their issue, I let them know they have a valid point but that we need to proceed in order to reach our class objectives. I then ask them to see me after class so we can further explore their issue.
Hugh,
You are right in your comments about the need for the instructor to retain control of the class and make sure that learning is not disrupted. It is unfair to the other students to have one or two students infringe on their learning opportunities. Also, as you know from your teaching experience if you don't take and maintain control the class will be lost. Thank you for your good comments.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think that there are also cases where people are just difficult because that is their personality. Opinionated is fine until it becomes disruptive. At that point the instructor needs to make a decision and act to retain control and not lose other students.
Tammie,
Thank you for sharing this example with us. The more stories like this that we hear the more knowledge we will have in relation to dealing with the different personalities of our students. I think you are right in terms of your analysis of what she was needing to feel comfortable in the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
