As an instructor of English and Composition, the most challenging students for me are those who have a very poor background and/or belive they are not good at writing, and say they don't like to write. It takes a very concerted effort and daily positive reinforcement (finding every opportunity to praise and help) to build student confidence so they begin to realize they "can" improve and become more articulate communicators.
All students are a challenge because as an insstuctor you want to reachn eachstudent on their level to wwnsure they are learning.
My most challaging students are always late and never turn their work in on time. The way I deal with those students is to show them the course syllabus, and remind them of what is expected in my class. I also remind them of why they are in college, and that they will not meet their desired goals if they fail my class. It seems to work.
Hi Grace,
Students need to understand that there is a high correlation between attendance and doing well.
Patricia
The attendance challenged, thay never want to come to class but yet want A or B, I use the no makeup test on make up assignments ....
Grace haines
National College
Dayton, Ohio
So, do you speak with the "dominating" student outside of class in private? I find that to be the only way of dealing with the student. Channel their energies into a little deeper research of a subject that's been under discussion.
The students who dominate the class by being the one that gives their two cents no matter the discussion. I find that the other students don't want to be in the class because they are just annoyed with the outspoken person and tend to not want to particiapte in the class.
I would have to say that it's a tie between the "center stagers' and the "inattentive" crews!
Both groups benefit from being given special assignments within the class period. This makes them feel that they are valued and directly involved with the learning processes.
We have an academic specialist on staff here; she is a valuable tool when trying to "crack" these students. Sometimes it has to do with a learning challenge that they've experienced all of their lives.
Be proactive with these students; itworks out to everyone's advantage in the final analysis.
Hi Shannon,
Instructors may do it in a residential setting for various reasons, such as to help memorize names, keep talkers away from each other, keep friends away from each other, keep enemies away from each other, etc. I do not use seating arrangements. I let students sit wherever they are comfortable.
Patricia
I have to admit, I do not like the idea of using seating charts. It will make the students seem like they are in elementary school.
And in an online setting this is just not possible, so why do it in a residential class.
My most challenging students are the ones who want to answer all the questions I throw out to the class. So what I do, is ask the students to raise their hand to respond and each time I wait until there are a few hands up in the air. I don't just call on the first hand.
In my online classes my most challenging students are those who send rude emails. They would never do that in a face to face class, but they do often behave inappropriately in an online setting. I have to remind them, if they wouldn't do something face to face, then its not appropriate via email either.
Hi Linda,
We cannot always please our students. We have to do what's best for them. They will get over the madness.
Patricia
In my previous clinical rotation term, I had 3 different types of Challenging students:
1-Inattentive ones (2 students were constantly socializing in the Post-Conference hours).
2-Too Opinionated
3-One student who had combination of few Calleneging behaviors ie: would not follow Dress Code rules, was Inattentive, and also had problem with Athourity Figure.
I resolved the problem with #1 Inattentive ones by assigning seating chart and I assigned a Silent student to sit in middle of them and that worked for the entire rotation! With the # 3 student who had multiple behavior problems, I discussed Dress codes with her on 1:1 basis to see as to why she would not follow the Dress code rules and that resolved some problems. I found myself to be counselling her off and on for the rest of the clinical rotation term.
If possible, you might try re-arranging the seats in your classroom. Put them in a circle, or arrange them in a large conference table format. This makes it so there aren't any seats in the back. I also find that just coming into the room and finding the seats in a different arrangement gives a different feeling to the class. "What's this?" they're thinking as they come in, and they're excited to find out what's going to happen.
One category of challenging students are those who miss a class and expect you to go over the material they missed. I remind them that it is their responsibility to catch up on any lectures they miss; there is no time in the schedule to constantly review material (though some review time is scheduled of course).
Those students who have a pathological inability to leave their mobile phones alone for more than 10 seconds are another challenge. I remind them of the rules they have signed up for. Sometimes I do get exasperated and threaten to throw the mobile out of the window with them followng shortly after! Where I used to teach, some instructors would collect all mobile phones at the beginning of class and return them at the end of class.
Yes but, students feel we are treating them as kids and start the class angry because the seating.... I find this upsetting, and therefore I avoid it.
Hi Angela,
In both scenarios the students need to be spoken to, you may need to even get your DOE involved.
Patricia
Hi Justine,
Individualized attention is special to anyone, not to mention a student.
Patricia
Like the reading discusses, I have found that spending some time one-on-one with a challenging student can be beneficial. It helps to hear his/her point of view and to share your own. It seems to improve the relationship and gain respect from a challenging student.
Hi Shoaib,
I also have a private conversation with these students, and this seems to work as well.
Patricia
