My courses meet one time each week so whenever a student misses a class they miss the coverage of a large amount of material. Consistently missing class quickly leads to a failing grade report. I meet with the students and remind them of the penalties for late work as set forth in the syllabus. Then I suggest making a plan for catching up with the class. I sometimes give a few ideas, but usually the students are able to lay out a course of action on their own. Some follow through and pass, some don't and fail.
Hi Sir Roy,
You're right, all you have to do is to learn a student's interest, and the student will automatically listen an totally attentive to the subject matter. Continue to be creative with your teaching strategies.
Patricia
I feel if you can find an interest that the student has and incorporate that into your material, the focus is regained.
Hi Philipp,
These type of students can be extremely exhausting. I try to make it a point to let the student know that he or she does not know everything by challenging the student on a particular assignment, question, activity, etc. I do not do the challenging in a humiliating way though. This technique normally humbles the student tremendously.
Patricia
The know it all student; this student is the one that has the answer before he/she knows the question, always ready to challenge the information he/she receives and is more interested in being conterversial then receiving an education.
I find these students to be tireless and exhausting; however more times than not (if I can maintain my composure) I find that there insecurities are driving their attitude and a little acknowledgement and consideration can in most cases go a long way.
Hello Jesus,
Nicely said! A student has to want his or her education for himself or herself, otherwise the student is wasting his or her time and wasting someone else's money.
Patricia
I believe that my most challenging students are the students who aren't 100% "sold" on attending college or specifically, attending a technical school. Many of these students are in school for 1 of 2 reasons: 1) They have to attend college and it's better than going into the military or 2) They were forced to attend college by a parent or loved one. When this type of student is in my class they tend to be unfocused, unprepared, unwilling to participate, etc. This type of behavior lends itself to failure.
What I have found to be most effective in working with this student is trying to get a better undersanding of their needs and try to get them to take ownership of their actions. As discussed in CEE104, these students will tend to place the blame on other students or other external factors which decreases their level of committment due to the fact that "it's not their fault." This student needs a high level of individualized consideration in order to take control of their actions. If an instructor doesn't take the time to figure out what motivates this student, he/she will never be fully involved in the learning process which will ultimately lead to failure.
Hi Victoria,
Great point. I have had some challenges with with these type students as well. I generally have to give these students more one on one.
Patricia
My most challenging are the English as a second language students. I teach a medical record & health information course and it's quite a challenge for them to try to understand things regular english speakers take for granted. Quite a few of our medical terms are latin based so I encourage them to use that as a base. Unfortunately insurance terms are quite a bit more difficult and it does take them longer than the average student to catch on. These are the students who tend to have attention issues. i tailor my lectures to include references that they all can understand.
Hi Julie,
Wow, in my more than 20 years of teaching I have not encountered students that have had the attitude they will not learn anything from a female instructor. You do a great job handling this.
Patricia
I often find that my most challenging students are the one that either show up with the belief they already know it all or that they won't learn anything from a female instructor. The way I approach these types of students is to give them the best information I can. I also make myself available show them another way to do things that either they hadn't seen before or that makes the job easier. Most of the time they leave the class with a new found respect for my (a females) abilities which opens them up for more learning opportunities in the future. I try to open them up to the fact at there is always more to learn and they should accept the information where they find it.
Hi Charles,
I get a few of these too, where they have lacked in their home environment, and they simply do not know any better. These type students are what I call diamonds in the rough. I take these students under my wind and give them great guidance.
Patricia
Patricia,
They have usually not had a good homelife or upbringing - so there behavior was never corrected!
I try to show correct behavior and attitude towards learning - a model - for them to learn from. Plus consistancy in important too!!!
Charles
Hi Philip,
At times, you must deal with certain students one on one to determine the reason they are not focusing. Students tend to be more open whit one on one.
Patricia
The course that I normally teach is one where if the student does not maintain focus, he or she can quickly become overwhelmed. My first response is generally to direct a question to them that will make them realize that they have not absorbed the information given up to that point. This will normally get the student to pay more attention. I do regularly ask for particpation from the class members in putting things up on the board for the entire class, or, asking them to point out different areas on one of many diagrams I have in my classroom. These methods are normally sufficient to bring their focus back to the subject matter. If these do not work, then I will attempt to deal with the student one on one, and try to determine what the underlying problem is.
Hi Charles,
Great tactics you are using to keep your students focused. Keep up the good work!
Patricia
Hi Burke,
Don't let them sleep in your class! Remove them. Sleeping in an instructor's class is disrespectful.
Patricia
I try to keep unfocused students engaged by including them in the lecture with eye contact and questions.
I speak to the class like a one on one conversation.
I think they zone out if you lecture to the class as a whole entity and they can sense this.
I encourage them to stop me and explain if they get lost in the curriculum.
As soon as they are lost they become unfocused and think about other things.
I walk around the class room as I am speaking.
I call on them randomly in class to help them stay focused.
The emotion in your voice will help them stay focused.
If you are excited about the topic you are talking about they have a better chance of staying focused.
My most challenging are the sleepers, I try to keep the class active and engaging.
Hello Gary,
You do have those students that have graduated, and regret not paying more attention in class. It frustrates me whenver a student does not pay full attention in class.
Patricia
