Class clowns
How do you deal with those students whose primary focus is to be the center of attention?
Stephanie, keep me posted. I would love to hear back and let's discuss other options if needed.
James Jackson
Jmes- good suggestion, I am going to try it.
Mark, when typing on web based systems using all caps is like yelling so was not sure if you are using this technique to get your point across of if the caps lock was on and you did not realize. That aside, I agree that appropriate humor designed to enhance learning is a great technique. The issue is you need to be totally aware of how your humor is received so it is important you get feedback from students. Have another instructor guest speak and have them take a classroom survey with information that could be useful as to your use of humor in the classroom. Students tend to be more forthcoming when they feel the information is not going directly to the main instructor so have some type of filter that allows students to see their feedback is anonymous.
James Jackson
I TRY TO LET SOME HUMOR INTO THE CLASS AS IT IS GOOD FOR US TO LAUGH, IT IS WHEN IT IS EVERY OTHER MOMENT THAT THE CLASS CLOWN IS TRYING TO GET ATTENTION I WILL SAY OK CLASS LETS GET BACK TO OUR SUBJECT, AND OF COURSE THE CLASS CLOWN WILL FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO COMMENT ON, IT WILL ONLY TAKE A COUPLE OF TIMES OF REDIRECTING THEM BACK TO OUR TASK AT HAND AS TO GET BACK ON TASK. I FIND THAT I GET MORE FROM THEM INSTEAD OF BEING A RULER, OR AS GRANDMA WOULD SAY " DON'T BE A STUFFED SHIRT" AND AS ALWAYS THE ONES WHO ARE REALLY SERIOUS WILL SAY OK I AM TRYING TO GET THIS, THIS IS HOW I DEAL WITH THE CLASS CLOWN
Jeremy, what conversations have you had with these students? What comments do they make when you share with them how distractive their antics are in the classroom and how the time they take away from other students is a very selfish method of acting out? You may also want to discuss with them what they need out of the class as they do not seem to be getting it from your lesson plan.
James Jackson
