I let students sit where they want, but I also have a seating chart to make sure I get to know them and their names.
In addition, I don't want them changing their seating every class period. I teach a computer class, and most of the time the students want to sit where they originally sat because they are comfortable with the computer.
cell phone usage and internet usage during class time was a major problem in my class. I started deducting lecture points and in-class activity points. Depending on the in-class activity for the day they can loose many valuable points.
In addition, I also speak to the student and let them know that continuing to loose points will have an impact on their final grade at the end of the course.
The most challenging students are the students who are focus and know the lecture work, but has a challenge with hands-on work.
A student who knows everything that is going on with all the other students in the class, and reports to the instructor what is going on and wants to get those students into trouble.
Hello,
I'm a firm believer that the higher grade should go to the student who meets the course expectations; that's the student who has gained the proficiency your course for. Certainly, harwork is valuable and students should be acknoweledged for that. Some schools have implemented an "effort grade" that usually counts towards participation, so to have an impact on the overall grade. However, the final course grade must reflect the students acquired skills and level of profiency at the end of the term. When employers look at transcripts they take that grade as a reflection of the students abilities and skills. You can always comment on a student's hard work on their letters of recommendation for future employers.
I agree with Patricia, rubrics should help you and students know what each level of proficiency entails.
i think the most challenging students are those who are inattentive or seem bored and don't want to learn. I am not sure about the most effective way to work with them because I just started teaching, but I think finding something that is challenging to them in a way they can relate would bring them closer to the subject, ther by making them more interested.
Hi Yowanda,
The attention-getting student needs to be kept busy as much as possible. You do a great job utilizing this student.
Patricia
Hi Maria,
Even adults need to be reminded about rules, policies, and procedures. All students need structure, regardless of age.
Patricia
Hi Joseph,
I really like your outlook when it comes to helping students. I can tell you go to great length to ensure your students are successful. We are fortunate to have educators such as yourself. Continue to put students first!
Patricia
Cell phones are a big challenge today. I make sure to enforce the policy but in some cases there needs to be some enforcement of penalty in order to maintain class control
I sent a well stated reminder via email to each student that this activity was disturbing the learning and teacher.
My students are adults, but they need to be reminded constantly about anything, including cell phones.
My most challenging student is the student who thinks they are at the mall to hangout and not take notes or disrupt other students by trying to get their attention. They look for attention so I use the student in my demostrations of showing how to perform procedure on a patient this way she cannot distract other students and she listens and learns by acting as a patient. Then she will start asking questions on the procedure that I am demonstrating.
For challenging students, it is important to counsel them outside class to know the real reasons for their low grades. Suggest tutoring, study groups with their peers, give extra work if allowed, have them retake tests in a different format. You can also teach them one on one, as long as the school permits it and if you are properly compensated too. Encourage them and check on their progress constantly. Of course, they need to respond positively to your suggestions and concerns. Don't give up fast. We have a saying, "while there's life, there's hope."
Hi Maria,
It sounds like you make real good use of your computers. What do you do to reprimand your students if policies are broken?
Patricia
My most challenging are students using phones and computers during class. Strategies that been effective: Enforce policies of the instution ! I establish the students as already part of their profession and the classroom as a professional environment at the first day of class. My strategies are:
For phones: We put our phones on silent and if anyone is expecting an imperative call please let me know.If the student has to leave the classroom to use their phone the other students understand that the message is important and authorized. If I find someone using their phone I give them eye contact and they usually stop.
For computers: I ask to my students to use the computers to look up information o the web for reasearch according the day lesson. This activity gives me the opportunity to start a very good and positive discussion in class.
Mary
The most challenging student I have worked with is the emotional student. This type of student gets upset about the most trivial things and is constantly wanting to be the center of attention. Many times this student is not well-received by their peers and is considered as annoying. What I did was challenge the student to come up with ways to relax and make the best of the class. I encouraged the student to stay focused and not to take over the class discussions but allow their peers to participate.
Hi Donna,
Some students you do have to limit, otherwise they will take over the discussion time.
Patricia
Center stage students are my most challenging!
I usually give them 5 times to ask questions or make comments in class. I did like the idea of the 5 blue cards.
Hello Ms. Scales and colleagues:
I teach research methods online, and the content can be difficult for students with reading comprehension difficulties, etc. One thing I do offer is one-on-one consultations via phone; if I feel the student requires it, I reach out to them.
Some students have learning styles which are best suited for live instruction. I let the students know that, as adults, they have been in school at least sixteen years, and they are typically good at understanding their strengths and challenges with respect to learning. If another style works better for them, and together we can simulate that environment while still within the virtual classroom, I work with them to achieve their goal.
Best,
Susan Weiss
Students who are unsure about your expectations and unsure about their goals. I incorporate those students in tasks and make them leaders in the group. They respond very well.
Actively engage challenging students by putting requesting that they engage in the class by including us in the conversation or if it is an emergency excusing themselves. Most of the time the conversation stops and these students at least act like they are paying attention
In the class that I teach there is a particular student "Will" and he is certainly the life of the class. At the beginning of the semester it was difficult to sort of "reign" him in. He was very talkative and disruptive at times but very polite so it was hard to get frustrated with him. However I did find myself frustrated an spoke with him individually then with the class as a whole. I changed my strategy for lectur/discussion classes and use a method where all students know I will call on individuals for specific ansers to questions. When I open the floor up for discussion Will has learned to take his turn and been very appropriately interactive since our private discussion. I feel as though it was a win for obth him and I. On the other hand I have a student whe likes to laugh inappropriately. That is also very distracting and I am still working on this problem. After speaking with her it is somewhat better but that is currently the biggest problem I have in my current didactic class.
