I have to agree that the moment of silence technique is simple and effective. From the numerous great techniques mentioned, I find we must keep them all in practice and find the appropriate ‘tool’ for the presenting situation. Unfortunately, some students can be glanced at and will pause, only to eventually resume talking. Some students find pacing keeps them ‘in check’ because we are essentially in ‘their space’.
If it is an ongoing situation, we also have to look at ourselves and determine if there is a need for adjusting the style of teaching for the class. It may be that we need to include interaction or insert interactive learning activities to help students expend this energy while remaining engaged in the learning environment.
--Gabriela Candido
Hi Russell,
They need to be reminded that every student there has paid to receive an education in your college. This means that each student needs to respect others through their actions and non-disruption of the class. This is something that all of us instructors need to keep reminding students about.
Gary
I remind the students that when they are talking they may be keeping others from learning as well as themselves
Hi Jamison,
Good strategy for dealing with these types of student issues. Thanks for sharing it with us. It is simple, quiet and doesn't distract from the general class setting.
Gary
It might sound sad, but I have actually resorted to assigned seating and separating adult students who feel the need to talk incessantly. What I find works best is, as others have said, taking the guilty parties aside either after class, before class, or on a break, and just leveling with them; I find if I'm very straightforward with just why their behavior is unacceptable, students usually tend to listen; no one likes hearing that their peers are upset with them for being rude or distracting.
I have always ben told to chastise in private so i would talk to the student outside of class. Also to try and limit the chance to chit chat i am constantly walking front to rear in the classroom while i am lecturing.
Thank you, that's a good idea. I'll try that next time.
Hi Franco,
Good model to use in classroom management. This method keeps the focus on the class and the learning that is occurring within it. This way distractions can be kept to a minimum.
Gary
Hi Michelle,
I have found that silence works real well. When my students start a side bar conversation I just stop and they quickly look up and realize that I am staring at them. Once they stop talking I go right back to what I was doing. It is simple and effective. If that doesn't work I talk with the students individually and ask they they not talk as it disrupts the learning of other students. I ask them if they will help me out on this. This also is very effective as I have not called them down in front of the class.
Gary
I typically emphasize the need for respecting the learning environment couched in humor. After class, I talk to the students involved privately and establish boundries. A big part of that is seperating them, and I help them understand its best for everyone. But the discipline boundries need to be established from the very beginning. It's much easier to move from a perceived position of sterness to a perceived position of affability than the other way around.
During the first day of class, discuss your expectations. Review student handbook and clarify the instructor's role and the student's role.
Remind students of the need for respect in the classroom.
Move around the classroom when you teach. Move close to the students who are chatting.
Give students a chance to present.
