difficult student
what do you do if one of your student shows dis-satisfaction about the way you present you class
I would talk to the student after class to address the concern. I would tell the student that her opinion is valued and check for understanding of the course materials. I would go over the course syllabus and offer any support and/or assistance if there’s a need.
Roderick,
I like to hear examples of adapted instructional delivery. Thank you for sharing this one with us. Can you imagine how long the evening was going to be for both you and the students if you haven't made any changes the second hour?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I just recently experienced an issue where on my first night with a new class in a new school, I had a few students who seemed dis-interested in my class. Considering it was my first night and we were going to be together for 5 hours, I was a little bothered by it. They would rather get on Facebook and listen to music rather than pay attention to my lecture. In talking to them I learned that they had just completed a class in the previous semester that was all lecture and they did not get to apply any of the knowledge they gained in the class. After a lengthy discussion I learned that they preferred and was looking forward to a more hands on approach to learning. They didn't mind the lecture but they didn't want to have all lecture and no means to practice and apply the techniques we just discussed. I changed my teaching style in the second hour, to limit the lecture to about 20 to 30 minutes with 30 to 40 minutes worth of hands on learning. This has been a huge success for me.
If I was in a situation like this I would first pull the student to the side to make sure that I am reaching their learning technique. Once I have establish that and there is still a problem within the classroom setting then that's when I would envolved upward management especially if the student is causing class disruptions.
Khalid,
Good points about working with different students. You have to strive to find balance in your delivery because you are right about some students being on both sides of how you deliver content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Since different students learn in different ways, there will always be some who are dissatisfied. Some of my students comment that I teach too fast, others that I am too slow! If there is a particularly dissatisfied student, teacher should talk to him/her. Maybe the reason for dissatisfaction lies elsewhere (e.g. a family problem due to which they are unable to concentrate in class).
I think that it is hard for any teacher to believe that a student would not be interested in what we have to say. If I notice that I'm starting to "lose" a student, I change it up. The biggest example is when I see students falling asleep. At this point, I figure that my lecture has become boring for them. So I do a quick in class exercise. It could be as simple as answering the first couple of homework questions together, or having a discussion. Either way, I'm turning the power point off for a few minutes and the lights back on. This wakes up the students and gets them involved and interested in the class again.
Fayez,
Talk with the student to see where the problem is. Explain why you present the class they way you do and see if the student understands. If that doesn't work go ahead with the class as you have it planned and encourage the student to be a full participant. In an extreme situation it might be better if the student dropped and took another class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
