Finding the Line Between "Fun" and Disruptive.
I often find myself engaged in fun conversations with some of my students. I usually have small class sizes so I often gain inside jokes with many of the students.
However, the majority of my students are younger, and often they get to the point where the fun becomes disruptive to the actual lecture being presented.
What is the best way to refocus a class, without completely cutting off the lightheartedness and good vibes gained up to that point?
Steve,
Humor goes a long way in getting students to relax and be prepared for the next instructional step.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
before and during a welding demo I joke around a lot it loosens them up to ask questions during the demo
ROBIN,
Thank you for this suggestion. I know it will be of great help to instructors, especially beginning instructors that are still working on classroom management.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I just gently guide them back to the topic... by finding a point in the conversation where I can say something to the effect of "Speaking of... " and then quickly and easily steer the conversation in the direction it needs to go.
Harry,
This is a good strategy because you are letting the clock do the stopping. By using this method the students look to you to move the class to the next phase as the learning leader and this earns their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have a similar situation and it's easy to let it get out of control. I like setting a time limit rather than just stopping abruptly when things have gone too far.
Carol,
Good strategy because you are the learning leader and it is up to you to keep the class on target. You are controlling the class is an easy engaging way that enables you to get them back into the material and moving forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When this happens, I try to make a funny comment
related to what is going on, enjoy a laugh with the class, and then say something like, "ok, lets get started with our class now".
Maria,
Good strategy because as the learning leader you need to direct the direction that discussions and questions are going to take.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Same happens to me! I just lightly say ok, wayyy off topic and guide them back to lecture at hand.Not scientific, but it works every time!
Julie,
Thanks for sharing this strategy with us. I know it will be helpful to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In reference to comments find the time issue and getting class back to focus.
I do like the phrase times up, also I have an online timer I put on the overhead when we do the timed tests and projects. It is a bomb with sound effects.
Sandra,
One of the ways you can ease from the general topic discussion to the more formal class session is by making an announcement that for the first five minutes of class we are going to hold an open forum to talk about general topics or answers questions. I tell them that when the time is up we will shift to the class topic of the day. I have a large faced time clock that I set so the students can see how much time is left. When the clock sounds they know we are going to move to the class. This removes me from changing the topic or closing the discussion, the clock does it. It is mental shift for the students.
I have my beginning students address me as Dr. Meers. I want them to understand that they need to respect a person in authority and use formal titles in addition I want them to understand I am the learning leader not a buddy of theirs. In my advanced classes where I have doctoral students I have more of an informal relationship and they can address me by my title or first name.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like that suggestion a lot Gary..."time is up..."
I need to practice how to say it so that it doesn't sound like I'm being rude. I often have one student monopolizing me in a conversation and time is ticking by. I hate cutting them off in what they're talking to me about but I need to start the class! Time is so precious to students taking night classes. I tend to lean on the other end of the spectrum by being too much of a task master.
Sandy
PS - Do you have your face to face [brick and mortar] students refer to you as Dr. Meers? Gary?
Robert,
One way is to have a relaxed open session where you can interact with your students and get them settled into the course. Set a specific time for this, for example 3-5 minutes. This way you can say "time is up and for this class we are going to cover ................". This way you maintain control of the class and you don't have to work at regaining control of the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
