The student has done it all!
I have a student that no matter what the discussion, she has done it, a student in the class say's her daughter's friend was burned my hot water, and the student began to tell of her little girl was burned by a cup of soup, someone else child has autism and now her child has autism, and so on, HELP ME!!
They did take over the one time I tried to teach when I had severe laryngitis.
Hi David,
You have to let students know that you are in control, otherwise they will take full advantage of you and try to run the class.
Patricia
I stand firm and let the student know who is in charge. If his or her contribution is useful, I'll thank them for the addition to the material. If the information is off course or contradictory, I'll reply that I am trying to present the "best practice" and you can use whatever approach you want in your shop.
Whenever we have a student who is "too cool for school", as we say, we usually try to engage them in a one on one conversation. We pull them aside and ask them, "why are you here?", and then explain to them that they do not demonstrate the inclination to glean information from the course, but only to show off what they already know...which isn't the point. Usually this humbles them.
I just try to get the discussion moving in another direction.
Donald and all-
I am not going to bother with the psychoanalysis since I do not believe in psychology; therefore my beliefs on the topic may or may not be accepted.
With this said; what do you think the root issue is with this particular student? Well; let's break it down:
1- fear of failure
2- low self esteem
3- lack of attention
4- need for approval
I could go on but the point is that the student's behavior is not the issue- it is a 'symptom' of the issue. When you get to the root of the issue you can then address the situation accordingly.
When you see that the student has core issues with who she is as a person how you deal with her will change because she is no longer the irritating loud mouth with an opinion that has the need to one up everyone.
She is a hurt little girl who did not get enough as a child and is doing everything she can to get it as an adult.
So the question is: how do you deal with that one? How do you create a learning environment where she is ok being who she is and that she does not need to one up anyone for any reason?
I suppose I would be afraid that such a strategy would lead to more talking by the "know it all" student. I did have a student last class who fit this category, but he was very positive and excited to add the information he was learning in class to what he knew. He often lead the class off topic though, but I didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm by discouraging his desire to relate class material to work he had done. Mostly I tried to engage in outside of class in talks about his previous work so he felt he was heard, because he really wanted to get the idea out there that he knew a lot of stuff already, and then in class keep the talking focused on moving forward.
When I have the know it all student I like to ask for exact information how did you come to the conclusions that you and can you back it up with data then open the topic to the rest of the class calling on othe members of the class for their input
Hi Kent,
You really humble them when this is done. They quickly see that they don't know as much as they think they do.
Patricia
Patricia,
I see a quiz as a good way to reality check students who have done it all and know it all. Take a subject like safety or risk management. Many students don't like to discuss risk management because they claim they have been doing it for years. However, when we throw an application level quiz out there, we quickly find out that there are very few experts at composite risk management.
Kent
Hi Frank,
What has been your experience with students who think they know it all and have done it all?
Patricia
After this assingment most of them come to me and tell me how hard it was to get ready for the assigment. They tell me that they have learned things that they did not know befor. A few just shurg it off and think that i am the one with the issue.
Hi Frank,
Great psychology! What type of behavior change do you see in the know-it-all once this assignment is presented and rejected?
Patricia
In my courses when I get the know it all, I have the students prestent part of each chapter, to the rest of the class. The know it all, is now on the spot. Most of these types of students try to get out of the assignment, they don't what to show people that they dont know it all.
Hi Kathryn,
Great point! Perhaps, this student does need help beyond the scope of the instructor.
Patricia
I am not a junior psychologist, but I have worked in enough psychiatric facilities to say that this type of student has some serious mental health issues. If she is doing this in your class, she is probably doing it in other classes and other social settings. I would refer her to student services and advise some counseling while she is still in school. This kind of behavior or reaction would not be tolerated in a work setting, where she would constantly be working with patients with all kinds of illnesses and symptoms. Can you imagine all the illnesses and symptoms she would have to say she had had during the life of her career?
Hi Nelson,
This type of student does like attention. The Observer method works well, and the student does well with it.
Patricia
I agree with the Obsever method. This situation appears that the student is searching for attention. Remember that the Observer is not allowed to talk unless called which will perhaps create a balance in the classroom.
Since this student has done it all, encourage her to write an essay on all of her experiences.
and share these experiences with her fellow students.
Another method is to assign her to be the observer of the class. She is write what she has observed each day and to turn the daily journal in to you on Friday of each week. In plain terms keep her busy. Smile
