Talking in class
I find that the fellow students will often put a a stop to persistant talkers. On the other hand, I find it effective to lecture in that part of the class. I alway lecture by walking about the class.
I will take a different tact. I inform the chatting students that they may not be interested in the class, but talking, they are preventing the students,who are interested, from hearing what I have to say.
I agree with William. I have on several occasions stopped lecturing and allowed the students involved in side conversations to realize what is going on. If the situation persists, I will politely begin to asked very focused questions, about the lecture content. I find this reels the chatty students back in when they are being called out to answer questions that they don't know the answers to as they are not paying attention and in fact are detracting from other students
I just stand there and look at them until they finish. Which doesn't last long at all
Hi William,
This does work, but it is solely left up to the instructor to control the classroom. Let your students know on Day 1 that you are not going to tolerate this type of behavior...and don't tolerate.
Patricia Scales
Another way I have found that helps keep the talkers from talking, is politely keep quit and inform them as soon as they are done with there conversation we will continue. The other students will butt in and ask that they stop talking and interrupting the lecture.
My classroom is actually a recording studio. The students who engage in side conversations quickly find themselves involved in a hands on demonstration of the topic we are currently discussing at the moment .This seems to get about 90% of the inattentive students in line and more engaged.
As an instructor we need to have control of our classroom. There is productive talk and disruptive talk. I believe it is important to create a comfortable environment. Sometimes we have to lecture but I feel that if you make your lecture interactive it helps eliminate a lot of the disruptive talk. If I find a student is having a side conversation I will try to pull them into the class conversation. You can do this by asking even simple questions to get them involved. It is important not to make them feel bad while you do this. You want to encourage them to participate not discourage them.
I noticed when I involve the talker in a demonstation it will stop them from talking all the time. I have also asked them if they have a comment to make it usually stops them for a while
Hi Kenneth,
Energy should be projected when lecturing is taking place. Students love it when the instructor is enthusiastic!
Patricia Scales
