What techniques can you apply to the know it all student?
I have a challenge with a group of know it all students. They challenge most of their instructors and usually create conflict between themselves and other students who are interested in learning.
Hi Charles,
I agree with you about the grades being earned. The are. If they are given they have no value. As for a number of specific letter grades or a curve I believe this is a mistake. In my college we are much like yours in that we are educating our student to achieve a specific level of competence. They have to meet the standards of the field not how the curve falls in relationship to others.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
Last night I was sitting in a faculty meeting and one of the instructors asked about curving grades. My response was, "I don't give grades, they earn their grades." He responded, "Yea, ideally, but how many A's am I suppose to give out?." To which the other instructors responded that none of them curve grades either. I then said, "We are a small private college. We provide education to small classes and they should expect the coursework to be more challenging." I know some institutions that require their instructors to give out a so many A's, B's, etc., but that is not only unfair to the students and faculty, but unfair to every individual involved in education - from elementary up.
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for the input on your situation. Sorry to hear how it was and is working. This is a problem that needs to be dealt with by the administration in concert with the faculty. If it isn't it is going to continue to grow and result in more student behavior issues.
Make sure to document every contact you have with such students so if it becomes a personnel issue you can show your administrators the steps you have taken to try and resolve the situation.
Gary
Hi Charles,
I like your approach. I tell my students that I am a former student, just like them but now I am the instructor. That is why I get the "big desk" so I am in charge and will be directing their learning opportunities. As we know if we don't take charge one of them will and that causes all kinds of problems.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
This method has been applied by several of their instructors including myself. The difficulty is because these student have had directors in the past cater to their every whim. They feel as if they have every right to challenge you the instructor or classmate if necessary. It really gets frustrating when instruction is being given and the ones you are educating are trying to educate you and the majority of the time their information is incorrect or outdated. Stern talk or assertiveness with them in particular, opens another can of worms because it is like grade school where they tattle and you are left looking like the problem isn't with them but you.
Thank you,
Sandra
Dr. Meers,
I would like to point out that it is their class,the entire group's class, not just the know-it-all's, that is why they are taking it. However, as the person at the front of the room, I am in charge of the class and it is my responsibility to cover the material. I point this out to my classes letting them know that's my job and no one is going to prevent me from doing what I get paid to do.
Hi Charles,
Good point about how to handle challenging students. Many of them as you know are just testing you to see how far they can push. By holding your ground and maintaining control you send a clear message that this is your class not theirs.
Gary
Professor Meers,
I usually don't have many 'know it alls,' but when I do I usually require each student the opportunity to stand in front of the class and present his or her perspective. Some issues I have had to worry about concerned students trying to manipulate the class time or possibly say something inappropriate in class. My supervisor has informed me that I can ask them to leave. I start each first class establishing the fact that we are all adults and will act accordingly. Once I was substituting for a class and when they started complaining about how I was the third substitute that day and that they felt like I was babysitting them; I told them that if they wanted respect, they would have to give it. "The school could send to home, but you wouldn't get credit for the time in class and that is why they called me." After I explained it to them, the know-it-alls and loud-mouths began to study, quietly. SO, by confronting them head on, they knew how they needed to behave - like adults.
Hi Sandra,
Can you put your students into work groups? I have found when I do this I will put the "know it all" students together and have them work on some activity. I have been know to make such an activity a challenging one since they know it all already. All of the groups in the class work on their projects and then report out. This way I can control the discussion and thwart any challenges the know it all students start to throw toward me and their fellow classmates.
Gary
