Dealing with challenging students
I got a lot of great tips with this module. I be-lieve in engaging all students in many ways. It certainly draws them together.
Hi Heather,
Walk over near an unengaged student normally makes the student become focused.
Patricia Scales
I liked the ideas for unattentive students. Just walking over to their area will be helpful. If that doesn't work a group activity will rengage them.
I would suggest writing it on the board, and discussing the additional materials. Remind them it is their notes, not necessarily the powerpoint, that will help them prepare for examinations.
The more years I add to my teaching skills, the easier it has become to facilitate different approaches to include difficult students. They may have attention seeking behaviors, and as faculty, we need to help refocus this student.
I too, find myself often trying to come up with new ideas on how to make my classroom a bit more exciting or a fun experience. I tend to be stern and sometimes it makes it difficult to mix the 2 up. Any suggestions?
Hi Michael,
The more you teach, the better you will become in all areas of teaching.
Patricia Scales
I agree that the element of randomness is a significant motivator but I have had some problems with students complaining about the course if they do not step by step what is going to happen in class. They want ppt presentations ahead of time and if I deviate at all from the ppt to add information they get upset that the information is not in the ppt presentation. I try to switch things up to keep the courses interesting but the students only complain. Is there a way to add all of the components we are learning about and keep the students somewhat happy too?
In having had different classes anytime I have had students who were out spoken I would take an item and state that each student had to be holding said object in order to be heard. I have not used it so much now but in the past... most every class. Everyone deserves to be heard and sometimes I have to ask everyone to be quiet to allow the one person who speaks the least a platform and audience.
Hi Diana,
Students feel apart of the learning process when they are fully engaged.
Patricia Scales
I can definately see how I can improve my interaction and classroom management skills. Every day is a learning opportunity!
In my expereince it has always been beneficial to these students to intermittently put them on the spot to participate in class. Set guidlines work well to keep students informed of material that is due, but an element of randomness is a significant motivator to actually participate and learn the material.
