Teacher as disiplinarian...
This is perhaps the most difficult part for me as an instructor, as I have expectations that students want to and need to be in the class or in school. I've worked for schools where the classroom door was expected to be locked after the start of the class, and everyone told not to answer the door if a student knocks to get in after class starts or if tardy from coming back from break. The rationale is that students coming in late are disruptive, when I find it just as bad to stop class and tell a student to sit down and not answer the door. I find it defeating. I'm not actually sure if locking a classroom door is even legal!
Hi Gerard,
The key is to follow the policies of your college. Make sure you know those policies accurately and follow them consistently. This way you will be safe as you enforce the dress code, behavior, or any other aspect of student management.
Gary
What about sending a student home, if he/she is not on uniform, unprofessional or even disruptive in class?
Aren't they any legal repercussions since we do record missed classes and factor in attendance every day and yet sending a student home when there is a legitimate reason?
What is you take on this?
Hi Merrill,
A lot of the actions taken by instructors to get students to class on time depends on the nature of the class and course situations. My students know not to walk into class late. They wait until we take a break because I have impressed upon them that my class operates like work. They have to be there on time or have a very good reason why not. This helps them to develop their employment or soft skills which leads to more career success.
Gary
Hi Merrill,
First, I talk individually with each student that is not following my policy of no cell phone use in my class. This will help with some students. For the ones that don't get it I remind them that they are not to use their phones in class. This gets a few others. Finally if the behavior continues I dismiss the offenders from class because I will not let them disrupt the learning of other students. This sends a very clear message and is well received by the other students. I document all that I have done to change the behaviors of the students and keep the administration informed so there are no surprises when a student is dismissed.
Gary
I believe that in a college classroom, tardiness is something that adults have to manage on their own. Yes, in extreme situations, it is necessary to find out if the student is having a problem, but high school tactics like locking the door or embarassing the student by making him/her knock, are really out of place.
I am used to teaching online, so when I started teaching ground classes, I found the behavior level of my students to be a constant issue. I found myself taking time to tell students to put their cell phones away and close their computers. There were several students in the class who told me that the lack of attention from some students was annoying to them. I found as the semester went on, I had this problem with fewer students, so I think they got my message. What do I do with those who cannot understand the importance of respectful courtesy to their fellow students and to me?
Hi Jamison,
This is a good way to handle working with adult students and be understanding of their situations without compromising your course requirements. I teach from 4 until 10 so I understand your situation. I like you have a majority of my students that work very hard to be on time. My occasional student violator is dealt with privately which generally takes care of the problem. If it doesn't sometimes I will have them take the class at another time where they can come to class on time and complete the work.
Gary
David,
I definitely understand your concerns, especially when it involves attendance. There are many times when I contemplate locking the door on students, but I do believe it is illegal, due to a fire hazard. I relate to my students with this issue, letting them know that we are all human, and we all have lives outside of school which can sometimes make it difficult to attend class on time. I do have one-on-one conversations with those repeat offenders, to find the root of the problem, then try to resolve it. Reiterating the importance of the material as well as taking responsibility for their actions seems to motivate my students to go the extra mile with their attendance.
I teach night classes at a technical school, so a lot of my students are coming straight from a 9 to 5 job and trying to make it on time for class at 5:15. Our program is very attendance-based, and our certification requires at least 85% attendance of the entire program. I feel your pain about students being disruptive when they come in late, however I also have a rough time being harsh on students who are really trying to better themselves while still keeping their current jobs (many of my students are adults with families to support). I actually bring this up every time I get new students in our modular program; I let them know that if they arrive late, they will be signed in for class at the time they arrive (an excess of missed time really adds up, even if it's just 15 minutes every day); I also tell them that if they must be late, they are expected to enter quietly and promptly, as class will already be in session. For the most part, students are good about understanding, but every so often I still get that one who insists on coming to class while on a cell phone!
Hi KarrieAnn,
Good approach. The one on one "talk" is often all it takes for the students to see that they need to be in class and increase their efforts if they are going to be successful. Knowing that you care about their success and are willing to provide them with support is important to their motivation.
Gary
Hi David,
This is a new one to me. I'm not sure the value of locking a door to keep students out. In my school we work very hard to make clear the expectations of being prepared and on time. When students are going to be late they call/text/email me. This gives me a heads up.
We work very hard to create an atmosphere of professional preparation to where the students realize they need to be there on time. This really reduces the tardy cases. As a result we have a student come in late about every week or so and this is when they have a sick kid, accident, or some other event occur in their lives. If a student is chronic in being tardy we talk with the student and if it is bad enough we pull the student out of the class and they take the course again.
Gary
I have been a teacher for four years. The type of class that I teach is very extensive. The pace of the class is quick. Progression can only be accomplished if the previous step is completed. Attendance and punctuality are a must, but sometimes not a priority to the student. As much as I would love to lock the door, I find frequent student advisements will usualy do the trick. It is a school policy where I teach that all students must maintain an 80% attendance in order to pass a course and move on to the next course. Reminding them of where they stand puts the necessity back into their proirities.
