Hi George,
I've experienced students utilizing software on the job where they have made different features work and use incorrect technolgy, and they think they know all there is to know about the course whenever they take it. Students generally find out that they made things work and used incorrect terminology, and now they are learning it the correct way. As the instructor, you have to convince them that you are teaching them the right way. It can be challenging.
Patricia
Hi William,
I fully understand about the center stage student. You would not believe how many times I've had to bite my tongue to avoid saying inappropriate things to this type of student. The center stage student really tests your patience.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the ones that confuse their previous experience with our organizations doctrine. Many times we have students tell us that material or examples used in our classes are not correct, unfortunately in most cases the students our students are not correct.
This does not mean the students don’t know what they are talking about or that as a matter of fact they are not currently using the procedures that they are sharing with everyone. They are most certainly providing examples of what is actually taking place at their work sites. The problem is many times the work-a-rounds being implemented are because of a misunderstanding of doctrine and authorized procedures.
We simple educate these students on proper procedures based on doctrine and challenge them to provide examples of where the doctrine or stated procedures would fail. We have been provided with a few examples by students where the “Book” would not work, as a result we have gone back and made changes to the doctrine and procedures.
I have been fortunate over the years in having few challenging students. My first day review of the syllabus, addendum, standards, class rules etc is very thorough. My classes are usually 5 -15 students and I walk around the class room a lot while I lecture, talk, and oversee exercises. This has the required effect of making the students at least pretend to pay attention. The issues that I have had, and still do not handle as well as I should, are the students who demand to be the center of attention and constantly interrupt, talk in class etc. I know what I have to do, and this module has given me some really good ideas, but these students do try my patience sorely.
Hello Diana,
This generation of students is intrigued by technology. We have to include technology in our methods of teaching to engage this generation.
Patricia
Hello Marina,
We do have our work cut out for us to keep this younger generation engaged. They are so use to getting everything on the drop of a dime.
Patricia
Hello Daniel,
What a good way to teach students how to manage their time. I am sure you have had students to take full advantage of such a class. Sometimes students simply just need to know how to juggle it all through time management.
Patricia
The most challenging students are the ones right out of high school. I have found these students like to use any and all computer-based activities I can give them.
The younger, straight out of high school students are the most challenging because they seem to be engaged in every thing except the class discussions. I have found that grou work and short lectures work best for those students. I have realized that the older generation students prefer individual assignments. That makes me keep a balance of group and individual assignments, both in class and in the lab.
I typically have students that have been out of school for a number of years, are currently working full time at demanding jobs, and have families that require a lot of their time. They see class as a lower priority of the many tasks they need to complete in their normal work week. The students want to learn from the class, but feel that some times there is just not enough hours in the week to fulfill their acdemic obligations. The strategy I use is to have a class early in the semester on time management and how to set time during the week for keeping up with the class.
Hi Marie,
I found that you must keep the younger learner fully engaged. I use a variety of technology to hold these students attention/interest. Remember, this is your Generation Y. They love technology.
Patricia
The younger learner is one of the most challenging students I've faced. Some of those typed of students bring with them a sense of "entitlement", whereby they feel that by virtue of paying their tuition (or having their parents or guardians pay their tuition), they are entitled to an education, whether they pay attention in class or not. Engaging that student with interesting delivery is most effective. Over preparation for class is key - having a variety of delivery modes is very helpful. Perhaps one of those activites will pique the interest of the unfocused to the point that they will slowly give themselves over to the learning process! And that will be success!!
Hi Alan,
Using a calm demeanor normally works with this type of student because if you get loud, they will try to get even louder. Calmness is really like magic.
Patricia
Hi Laura,
It sounds as though this student definitely had some issues. I am glad you did not let this student intimidate you. I've seen when instructors have become intimidated and left the institution, never wanting to teach again. How sad....,but your story has a happy ending.
Patricia
Hello Andrew,
I know this subtle gesture, generally works wonders. The student normally appreciates the gestures and will become attentive. I've had students to thank me personally.
Patricia
Hello Stacey,
Never let the students have control. On the very first day you make a presence, you want to be nice, but firm. Students should always know you are the authoritative figure. Don't let students run the class nor you, you run both!
Patricia
I have dealt with many challenging students while teaching. My most challenging students are the ones that do not find my class important to their college education so they come to class late, do not complete assignments, etc. How I handle students like this is I have one-on-one discussions with them to discuss how I can help them be successful in the course.
I have also dealt with students who are "class clowns." One quarter I had a number of students who took over the class. I felt helpless and felt that I had lost control of my class. Until I took this course (ED104) I was unsure of how to handle students like this. Now I have a better idea of how to deal with challenging students.
Same here. I also will tap on the desk of an inattentive student without making eye contect, or breaking into the lecture. It is a subtle gesture that lets them know that I can see they are not paying attention, but that I wish they would.
Hi Walter,
As educators, sometimes we have to dig really deep to find out what the real cause is due to the lack of focus. When the cause is discovered immediate action should be taken to resolve things.
Patricia
Our role is to determine the root cause that's creating the distraction or lack of focus. Once we know the cause, we can determine strategies to help the student with her/his issues to regain focus. Another effective technique is to shift the students' focus to the main reason she/he came to school. If that reason still exists, the student is more receptive the coaching.
