Extended lunches and break times
How would you regulate students lunch & break times in a clinical setting?
Hi Heather,
You have made the rules clear so you need to enforce them. When some of the students come back late from break you can talk with them and encourage them to be on time at the next break. If they don't come back on time I go out to the break area and tell them we are ready to start. This generally gets their attention and they come right in. If the persist on taking longer breaks I let them know I am going to dismiss them from the class as I will not hold of the class by waiting until they have decided that their break is over. Employers don't operate that way and I don't either. A couple of times of warning, going and getting them and dismissing one or two and the word is out that you do not mess with my class. They may complain behind my back and I am sure they do but the comply with my rules and we get to keep moving the class forward.
Gary
Thanks Debra and Maria... those are both great ideas and I will be trying them tomorrow!! :-)
The best way to develop and regulate breaks and lunches is to set the same guidlines for the student as it will be in the actual field that they are going in to. I instruct a surgical technology program and I make it clear that they need to practice punctuality in the classroom as if they are out in the field working.
Perhaps reminding the students of the excellent clinical experience that they missed when they were tardy would motivate them more. Pointing out their educational loss rather than their negative behavior may help.
As a new instructor I have found this to be one of my biggest obstacles. I feel that I have been very clear with students on our policies and break times, but I have a select few that always seem to push the limits and spend an extra five or ten minutes out on break. Aside from docking them this time, what would be the best way to address this so it doesn't remain a problem for the remainder of our term together?
Hi Maria,
Depending on the length of the clinical class I would set specific times for breaks and lunch. I would be consistent with these times so the students can get into a routine in the course. A routine needs to be established early on in a course so the students can see how the course is going to operate for the duration.
Gary
Yes - Given the chance, those times will and can ultimately be abused by even the best of students.
