Step back take a deep breath and talk to the student after class.
I agree, if you move closer and get louder and the student still sleeps, have a talk with him after class
Hi Raymond,
I have heard that saying as well. The only question I have is if you never smile before Christmas, will Santa Claus think you have be naughty and not leave presents?
Gary
I remeber a saying an elder educator told when I first starting teaching, this was in a high school. NEVER SMILE BEFORE CHIRTSMAS. A little harsh but sometimes effective.
Raymond
Hi Danny,
Thank you for your strategies and advice on keeping students awake. You are right about it not just being your class and lecture. I teach evenings so all of my students have worked all day before coming to my class and setting down for the first time. After they have eaten, it just makes sense for them to be ready for a nap. This forces me to do many different activities to keep the moving and engaged with learning.
Gary
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for sharing good advice. As we all know you have to be consistent with everything that you do as an instructor. If you aren't it won't be long before you will find yourself with a host of class management issues, complaints and student unrest.
Follow through with all that you do.
Gary
All great points. If a student is sleepy in your class it may not be due to your lack of lecturing skill. Having a conversation with the student in private may uncover a number of personal reasons but addressing the problem in front of the class also has its place with regard to expectations. Remedies may have to include planned physical movement during class presentation. It's difficult to sleep while you're moving around.
I think it is very important to set the rules on day one and after that makes sure you are consitant with what will happen if a student breaks a rule. Most of time other student will figure it out that you will not put up with nonsense if you do what you say you are going to do. Hope this helps
Hi Raven,
Whenever I have a student who is sleeping in class, or for that matter, students who are exhibiting any behaviors detrimental to the class, I usually walk near those students while continuing my lecture. Usually that stops any problem from getting out of control.
As far as your "sleeping beauty" is concerned, it would not be out of line for you to talk to this individual after class. I would inquire about this individual's schedule and suggest that it might need to be altered to allow for more sleep.
Hi Raven,
There are several approaches you can take. A simple one is to walk to where the students is setting asleep. Your movement and voice change is often enough to wake them up.
I will complete the lecture point I am making and put the students into learning groups. The movement into groups and discussion of the topic wakes the students up.
If the problem persists then I talk with the student privately and ask what is it I can do to keep their interest up in the class and the lecture. This approach works well because you have made the student part of the solution and he/she knows you are aware of the situation and want to help them.
Give these suggestions a try and let me know how they work out for you.
Gary
