I am laid back, so managment is sometimes an issue for me
I'm a very laid back person, and often things don't bother me. For this reason, I often let things go, that are actually bothering the other students. Namely, talking while we are all supposed to be working on a math problem. A principal once told me to use this, and I liked it, " Do not mistake my kindness for weakness" It hits a chord with students, reminding them that because you are fun to talk to, and laid back, doesn't mean you are willing to look the other way when rules are broken. I also like the specific words use in this lesson, directing the suggestions towards the behavior, not the student as a person
scott
I am the same way. very laid back and kind. thank you for your post.
I think this is an important point to bring up as well, especially as an instructor for adult learners. Being similar in age to your students can pose as an extra challenge in terms of striking a balance between maintaining your role as the instructor and as the one "in charge," and treating your students as adults themselves. I think that this quote of not mistaking a laid-back approach to weakness will be something I utilize moving forward.
Ya I can totally see that happening to me. Blatant cheating, as if we don't care if the student fakes it. Strange. I have students who don't do homework because , "you don't really check it, so why should I do it?" Because it doesn't matter whether or not I care!! It matters whether or not you know the material. Well, we will have things to learn as teachers. Namely, how to instill a pride ( or at least desire) to do one's own work, regardless of the teacher's attitude. I often remind them on day one, "It doesn't offend me if you don't do your homework, so no need to feel sorry to me if you didn't do it. However, you should feel an anxiety in that you have not done what you need to do to learn the material. The test and quizzes are coming, are you ready??"
Scott, I am a laid back person as well and believe that having fun while learning is a win-win situation. I did have an incidence where my casual personality was misinterpreted by a student which ultimately put me in a difficult situation. A student had turned in a late term paper that was blatantly plagiarized. When I confronted the student, she asked me if I could just let her "re-do" the paper and pretend as if she never handed in the plagiarized work. I found myself being offended by her indirect suggestion for me to look the other way. I am very much a rule follower, but I can't help but to question if my casual demeanor led to this.
Scott, I love that quote. I will use. I do not consider myself laid back exactly, but I do like to have a comfortable atmosphere in the classroom and sometimes students take advantage of this. I am a reforming controller and I have come a long way (I think) in personalizing instruction, connecting with students and helping students believe in themselves. However, I am still very results oriented and I have to reach for that balance in every class.
Scott, great post and a common topic. Do not confuse being laid back with lack of control in a classroom. This of classroom management as part of the overall lesson plan. You are just as responsible for preparing students for the rigor of the workplace as you are for the rigor of the academic focus of your subject matter. It is all part of the big picture of preparing students to exist outside of the classroom. Being "laid back" actually has more advantages versus disadvantages but the focus needs to remain on preparing students for life after school which includes proper behavior when at a place of work which should resemble what they experience in school. I am interested in what other instructors have to say about this topic if anyone else wants to participate in this conversation.
James Jackson
I can be the same way, Scott. I think back to the teachers and professors I respected as a student and it was those who upheld the standards - which didn't mean they were cruel, but they had their act together! That's what I want to be like.
