Challenging students come in all shapes and sizes. There are the disrespectful, the loud mouth, the sleeper, the nay sayer, the conniver and so on, and so on…. I find the best way to deal with any student with exceptions is to either engage or involve the student on a regular basis. This may only need be a glance in their direction from time to time, regular involvement in class participation or special assignment. I will also address this situation on a one on one and let the student know that I or we (meaning the school) are here to support them in their success.
Our most challenging student are those who have some background in the area we are teaching. They may feel they do not need to pay attention because they have worked in tbhis field to some degree in the past and they know some of the material.
My most challenging student's are the one whom claim's they did not here this rule or assignment explained on the first day.
The most challenging students in my world are the ones that like to change subject. I have a 3 step prosses to deal with them.
1st : I let the student talk and as they start to change the subject I Stop them mid sentence and tell them that they are wondering off subject.
STEP 2: (if step one does not work) I will walk up to the student as they are talking to others and invasivly enter there conversation changing the subject as I do this.
IF BOTH Step 1 and 2 do not work then I use step 3
STEP 3: I tell the student that they will need to stay after class and do so in front of there class mates it will put them in shut up mode. After class when there are no other studnets around I explain why they are being talked to. This is always done in a kind but firm manner and the student knows from that point they can and will loose points on there grade if they continue with there rude and distruptive behavior.
Hi Charles,
It saddens me whenever students are more concerned with receiving a good grade rather than FULLY understanding the actual learning that should take place. I would rather receive a "C" and fully understand the concept than to receive an "A" and do not understand the concept.
Patricia
Lately my most challenging students are the students who appear to be progressing well, but are avoiding the challenging assignments and getting only a superficial understanding of the subject. These students seem more focused on reciveing credit and a good grade than actual learning.
As soon as I identify these students I assign a very specific task that will require they demonstrate an understanding and mastery of the lesson. These are usually highly motivated students with misplaced educational values, who usually respond well when challenged.
Hi Cheryl,
Older students do appear to have a stronger desire to learn.
The millenial generation is a hand full. They really and truly think the world revolves around them and that everything is about them. Standing firm with all students is key!
Patricia
Older stduents are great, they want to learan and have worked hard to get abck to school. A little extra coaching really helps them.
I think that the millenials are the most challenging students. These students are young, very self abosrbed and think that the world, you , your class and your life should revolve around them and what they need right now or even in the future, they will let you know. The problem with these students is that they do not see other people and their needs and realize that there may be 20 other people in the class. I find that these are the students that I have to have signed a syllabus and turn it in make a copy and give them one so that I can refer back to it regularly. They will push every button and try to bend ,if not break, every rule. You have to stand firm. Have very specific policies and procedures and stick to it, no exception.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
You're right, we all have things going on in our lives--so what? As educators, we must perform. Lay the law down to your students and stop taking all the lame excuses.
Patricia
Hello Charlot,
I rarely have challenges from students that are in cliques. However, I do understand your points. I've told students that cliques can be somewhat harmful, simply because if one student in the clique does something negative, the other students in the clique feel as though they must follow suit. I had a clique of three young ladies. One of the young ladies in the clique decided to dropout of school, and the other two young ladies in the clique dropped out as well. You do have to watch cliques.
Patricia
I think that they most difficult problem would be students who turn in assignments late and always have an excuse. That is very tiring, because we all have an excuse not to do something. I have a job and a family too but I am here every week teaching class. I have to be prepared too. It is unfair for students to constantly have excuses and never any consequences. I really like to establish a solid policy and stick to it. I put the policy in my syllabus and go over it the first day and review it regularly as assignments approach.
Cheryl
My most challenging students are those who form cliques based on ethnicity or national origin. It can be quite difficult to persuade these students to integrate themselves into the class and to participate in class activities rather than holding themselves apart.
The strategies I have found most effective are:
1) separating the students physically, by occasionally requiring the entire class to rotate seats, and
2) frequently calling on the students in question and asking them to demonstrate skills.
These strategies often seem to work, because the students begin to see themselves as valued members of the group, and to appreciate other students outside of their small clique.
Hello Scott,
The students right out of high school can be a big challenge as well as the talented ones who think they know it all. I always nip these type students in the bud within the first week of class by tactfully letting them know that it does not matter how much they know, they can still pick up new concepts from the course.
Patricia
Hello Jason,
As educators some things are not surprising to us! I teach the same age range as you. In most cases my most challenging students are generally the ones right out of high school also, therefore, I can agree with you. I like the strategy that you use with pairing your students.
Patricia
He Kirk,
I teach the same age range as you. In most cases my most challenging students are generally the ones right out of high school also, therefore, I can agree with you, however, from time to time you get some older students that can be challenging as well. Currently, I have a student right out of high school, and I was able to determine very early during the module based on her actions. The most important thing is that you must get them to understand that they are in college now and not high school, and they must take a serious and mature approach to their education. I am sure you can attest the strategies mentioned are very helpful.
Patricia
the most challenger students are the ones out of high school and usually the most talented ones who think they know it already and the talent will take them all the way to a good paying job.
No shocker here - it is nearly always my younger students, some of whom come to me directly out of high school (demographics of my classes range in age from 18 to 50). I find that breaking them in to groups and/or pairing them with older, more mature students is effective.
I teach a range of students between the ages of 18-50+ years old. My most challenging students are the ones right out of high school. I try as much as possible to get them involved in class projects and working in groups with those students that are focused and have a direction in which they are going. I try to motivate them and explain that if they work hard and graduate the program that they will have a rewarding career in the field.
My most challenging students are those who want to be online all the time during class. What I do is to come up with an exercise that will include researching online, this will get them, not only involved in class, but also they can continue using their computers.
No surprisingly, my most challenging students are young adults (those just finishing high school). They tend to think that the college environment is just like the high school environment. My strategy is to engage them more in lecture by providing "What did you learn" questions throughout our discussion. They are sort of like "pit stops" along the way to make sure everybody is still engaged.
