Talking students
I have three students that sit at the back of the room and talk in a whisper through a majority of the class. They all get A's and B's so I have not tried to control it much. Another student came to me yesterday and says that the constant whispering has caused her to lose focus many times. How do I appropriately tell the students who are talking to keep it down or better yet knock it off without embarrassing them in front of the class. I have tried the subtle approach of "come on guys lets pay attention" which works for a minute or two. Yesterday I said to everyone that the talking was causing other students to lose focus but that just caused a riff amongst the class. I am not sure at this point how to handle this. From the course so far I think I am mix between the buddy and the controller.
I 've found as well that by stopping the discussion it gets their attention. On occasion other students will make a comment to those in the far back row to quiet down. I use this as an opportunity to ask the talkers if they heard what I just said. And how my instructions are relative to their learning. Therefore, by continuing to talk they disrupt others and they lose valuable info for future reference.
I've had alot of CEE courses and actually paid attention, put it into action, and adjusted for what works for me.
Thomas, all great comments and suggestions. How did you develop these techniques? Thanks for anything you can share that may be helpful to a more novice instructor seeking new skills and new methodologies to gain confidence and grow the skills you have acquired over time.
James Jackson
Here are some guidelines that I have found work for me.
1) In my self-introduction at the beginning of the course, telling them who I am, what I am, my certifications, etc., I am trying to relay that I am an expert in the subject matter and that I care. I will spend the rest of the course showing that I care about their education. When they see I care, they will care not only about the course, but about the instructor and the way they treat you.
2) If you think a lecture is boring, it will be. The instructor is going to broadcast what he feels, and that can end up good or bad. Change your way of thinking. Sell it as important, but in an interesting way. They need to understand the WIIFM. (What’s in it for me?â€) Once they have that, they are more likely to not only behave, but also be engaged in the lesson. By the way, why does it have to be a lecture? (I talk, you listen.) I would prefer to have a relaxed conversation among friends. Notice I said relaxed, this does not mean too comfortable. Relaxed they will open up, too comfortable and they act as if they feel at home. You don’t want them acting as if they were at home.
3) If a lesson is not going the way you need, either redirect the conversation or change things up. Sometimes a change of state can be a breath of fresh air. (literally and figuratively) Walk about the room, change voice pitch and tone. (Remember the dry eyes commercial?) Change to an activity when you feel the need. Always try to have a plan B.
4) There are times when you will get students talking amongst themselves during a lesson. Talking students feel the need to be heard, (just as you do in the front of the class). Let them be heard, bring their attention to the lesson and get them involved. If you are involved in something, you will remember it better than if you’ve only heard it.
5) Always keep in mind to handle with kid gloves. Even though they are adults, their egos are just a sensitive as kids. The fact is, at the end of the course they may not remember what you said, but they will remember the way you made them feel.
Liza, well done and really talks to the importance of listening to students is as important if not more important than talking to them. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
I had this problem in the beginning of my class. Some of the more experienced nurses were talking about experiences they have had in a hospital setting. There are several nurses in my class who have the book knowledge but not the hands on experience because they do not work in a hospital setting yet. I found it beneficial to walk around the class and I am constantly asking for feedback from these experienced nurses to share what has worked well for them in practice. The whispering has almost become obsolete and their contributions to the lectures has been incredible.
Karen, well stated and good point. I agree there is no room for those that are just obviously there to cause disruption. I do feel there are ways of getting to the root of their lack of focus and attention to the subject matter but it takes some time and effort to have such discussions with the disruptive students. I have seen several examples first hand where the disruptive students become your best students and advocates for your classes to other students. The key is discussion and even discourse to better understand what the students need to feel their attention to the class is worthy of their time.
James Jackson
James I agree that lectures can get somewhat boring, but sometimes we have very important messages we have to relay to the students. I have found with my talking students to call on them more and allow them to participate in lecture and it will allow everyone to participate. This course was really interesting.
James,
I agree talking in the classroom can be a good thing. However, the instructor has to maintain control over the classroom, while allowing students to engage.
Kanidrus Prather
Actually, I think I was not clear with my statement. What I was talking about were students that have side conversation about what they did over the weekend, therir plans for that night or other things that have nothing to do with the class. I do not k=mind students talking about the subject matter, in discuss with each other, etc. It is the ones that disrupt the class with things that mean nothing to the rest of the class.
sarah, have you had any one-on-one conversations with them? You may also consider discussing with them as a group so they understand you are not being negative but just trying to be fair to others in the classroom. Another approach is to find new ways to challenge those students since they seem to be doing well in the classroom. Use them for other aspects of your class such as tutors or class leaders.
James Jackson
Mitchell, be careful not to stop your students from thinking as well. You may perceive you have total control over a classroom but may not be transferring any knowledge. Getting your students to use their talking energies towards discussing the subject matter and the points of your lesson is a far superior method of transferring knowledge versus talking at your students. Just my two cents and totally OK for us to agree to disagree. : - )
James Jackson
Karen, you will not like what I have to say but if you are doing all the talking your students will not learn much. Talk with your students not at them. Get them involved and active in your lesson plans and you will be amazed at the results. Talking students are a blessing not a curse. They do however need your guidance and direction.
James Jackson
My method is to stop class and ask the student(s) who are talking to share with the class their discussion. After all, what you may be discussing might be relevant to the lecture at hand and it just might be possible that other students have the some question and your relpy will answer their unasked question. This "on the spot" method usually gets the point across to the students, talking, that they need to stop it as of now. If it is relevant to the lecture, then they can be viewed as valuable contributors to the lecture that is transpiring.You, as the teacher are being professional as well as empathetic. But your message will be percieved straight forward by the "talkers" and they will stop talking. Mitch Becker CCE,CCC
Talking students seem to be one of the most difficult things to deal with in the class. I have had to stop the lecture because of the talking, move students to different seats, and speak to them away from the group. I hav e begun my class with an announcement that talking will not be tolerated as it is disruptive to the class. The thing that seems to work the best is stopping the lecture til all quiets down. This allows the students to be involved with the management.
