Hi Gary,
I like the advice given to the students about never to pass up a chance to learn something.
I wish everyone was like me and enjoyed learning new things.
Patricia
The most challenging students are those who have made up their minds that they don't like a particular model of motorcycle and they will never have to work on one. I enlighten them by advising them to never pass up a chance to learn something new because it could be one of their buddies that needs that model worked on.
GW
Remind them to put themselves at their new job and ask them if they wish they had paid more attention in class
Hi Eric,
Absolutely, you must act when others begin to roll their eyes and make comment under their breath. This type of behavior is totally unacceptable, and you must act quickly in order to nip it in the bud.
Patricia
I find the center of attention student the most challenging. When the rest of the class starts rolling their eyes and making comments under their breathe I have to act. I try to limit their conversations and will always bring them back to target of the conversation and not what they are trying to add. I like the idea of using the cards and will try that in the future when I have a center of the stage student.
Students who have been home-schooled. For some reason, they have almost a sense of entitlement, as if they are the center of the universe and everything exists for their advantage. They are usually serious, focused students, but the most challenging in the fact that they separate themselves from the rest of the class and have trouble adjusting to not being the only "one" in the classroom and where they have to share the spotlight. While I give them their time to shine, I also engage them as a mentor or tutors for some less bright students. This seems to help them to see that there are students who have REAL needs and learning problems and it kind of humbles them into seeing themselves as more of a nurturer than the center of attention.
My most challenging students are the ones that think they understand the topic but really don't. In the classes I teach, their knowledge that is incorrect has come from magazines or someone who also thought they knew the correct information. My most effective tool is to question them and then to prove how and why they are wrong. The trick is to not sound like I am talking down to them but sharing my knowledge with them.
Hello Misty,
Honesty is the best policy. I use to sugar coat things with students when I first started teaching 19 years ago. Now I shoot straight from the hip with my students because I have found that honesty is the best policy, call like you see it, good or bad.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the ones who are not committed to standing on their own two feet or taking responsibility. I have found that being honest with them, that it's best to honestly provide feedback about the lack of initiative and how it is holding them back from reaching their true potential.
Hi William,
We must keep a close watch on all students, especially struggling students. Continue to let your students know you really care. I can tell you are a caring instructor.
Patricia
Communication is what breaks down barriers between student and instructor; take the time to visit with struggling students on an individual level. Listen rather than lecture and the student they will see we truly have their best interest in mind. The student will tend become more involved as they are now a part of the team.
Hi George,
I have found younger adults to be challenging as well. What type of challenges have you noticed from the younger adults?
Patricia
Hi Michael,
You do run across those students who simply do not care. As an instructor continue to work with these students so that they can see the big picture, and more importantly continue to challenge them. You will be the instructor they remember.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the ones who seem not to care about being in class. My goal with these students is to make them care and challenge them as much as possible.
I get older students sometime that can be challenging as well as the ones just out of high school,if needed removing the disruption could be the first action after that its easy to keep them focused,
.
Hi Jeff,
I smiled when I read your response. Just wait, your day is coming. Use some of the different ways discussed in the course to deal with unfocused students.
Patricia
Hello John,
We must try everything that we possibly can to find out why the student is unfocused. Continue to talk and work hard to reach your students.
Patricia
I take the student aside and talk with them to see if there is some reason that they don't pay atention in clas.
I'm still to new ,the last class I had the students were focused and asked alot of question. I haven't had to deal with any unfocused students at this time
Hi Ronnie,
You're right, you must get the class clown or the talker's attention so that the drama will stop. These type folks are very disruptive, and actions must be taken to nip things in the bud.
Patricia
