Students in the back of the classroom.
Hello,
After 23 years in my profession, which did include some teaching, I am now in the classroom for the first time. My students are young adults and have paid a lot of money for this education. There are 14 students in this class in which a few of them sit in the far back of the room, and it turns out that they are the most disruptive. How do I remedy the disruptions so that it is a better learning environment (even for the disruptors), short of introducing discipline?
Thank you!
Aaron,
Thanks for sharing this example of how to students involved in the discussion process and located where they are not disruptions. They make the move themselves because of the ice breaker you had them work through. I like this approach and I know it will be helpful to other instructors.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In previous classroom situations, I had several students that insisted on camping in the back of the classroom. I decided that I would utilize a questionnaire with "ice-breaker" questions for each student. I pair them off and have them interview each other. Following the interview, I have them present each other to the class. This allows the students to get to know each other and creates a desire for them to attend class with their future professional colleagues. Many times, the back row sitters move on to sit with their new friends.
Positive interaction with a student has more possibility of changing behavior than negative enforcemnet/reinforcement/rule structuring.
Remedies that work:
Learn every name ASAP. I am a slow name learner so I find out after a second meeting where each student has decided to sit and then make a chart of their respective locations. This way, as most stay in the same location, I can individually address them.
Circulate through the class on a regular basis. This requires of course that you have access to each place where a student is sitting. Most classrooms have crowded conditions so this means moving slowly between studio setups (easels) or desk rows that extend to the end of a classroom so that a "U" shape is the aisle configuration. If possible, set up the desks so that access can be complete from either direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Let students know that you will have individual consultions/discussions with them at your desk, perhaps each meeting, or every other meeting to discuss their progress, and then do it in an orderly and consistent fashion, alphhabetically perhaps. Estyablish the method so thatstudents are not caught unaware of what will transpire. While meeting/short discussions are being conducted make sure that there is a sufficient relevant learning activity for each participant in the class. To have any members of your class sit for any period of time doing nothing is counterproductive.
When conducting a lecture, make it interactive and non-threatening. write down in summary form on whiteboard/smartboard each person's response. Ask questions that have open ended answer possibilities, or if related to a specific bit of information, find ways to ask foer that information using various methods. Ex. I ask about color systems in a Color Theory course: First I lay out the systams on the whiteboard: Additive, Subtractive, and Subtractive Process (printing) I then ask what colors students believe are the primaries for each system in turn. If a set of some correct and some incorrect are given I list each but not under the category, and respond that some of these are correct As there is no grade assigned to placing answers in the correct spot, error eventually becomes eliminated.
Formulate discussion to foment brainstorming. Respond to each student interaction with a related comment about how their responses contributes/coalesces with the subject at hand. If their comment/response introduces another topic, note that on a whiteboard/ other visible spot and use it as a springboardfor expanding the discussion as it relates to the topic at hand.
Hope this is relevant and helpful.
Patricia,
I like the way you are exploring different formats for class management. By observing how these methods work you are building an experience base that will enable you to target and correct such behavior better each time you teach a course and encounter such disruptions. Good strategy.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I do bring on the first day of the classroom policies and protocols. and let all students know what is expected. Sometimes, I feel so bad to tell "adults" what I don't tolerate because he or she are adults, but after a few weeks--I sure do see some behavior that makes me wonder about just a few adults behaviors.
I have or had the same issues with students in back of class. I usually wait till they finish disrupting class, so that means I stop talking and wait till he or she are done. I don't care to do this method, due to other students are waiting to hear me and finish lecture-which is not right either.
But the main thing I do is a pop-up quiz at the end of class. This method sure makes provides what he or she have missed while he or she were disrupting class and the other students have caught on when I do pop up quiz --I do it due to disruptive students..So now the class tells them to shut up--which I have to say the disruptive students do become quiet and listen for a change. and not all the time, but have limited the pop up quizzes for the moment.
I think this is key, on many levels. Students have to understand expectations; in my classes, I have a kind of "contract" that they sign the first day, outlining what their responsibilities are, etc. This lays out some rules of the road, and gives them a clear understanding of what they need to do to succeed in the class. By signing it and handing it to me, I think it drives home the fact that they have made a contract to succeed. Others at my university have adapted similar "contracts".
The other part, of course, is being willing to follow through when that contract is violated. If people see that you're not going to care if people go against the agreement, then they won't care either.
Having the support and backing of your dean/program chair makes all the difference in the world. It makes the instructor more confident in enforcing the rules, and it shows the students that they can't play "mommy-daddy" and try to play one authority off against another.
Don't get me wrong -- I still have challenging students, and it's exacerbated by the fact that I teach in a classroom where everyone has a computer in front of them. Making expectations clear, though (and explaining what the consequences would be in a business situation of not meeting those expectations) seems to make a big difference.
I'm in the same environment and do occasionally come up with this issue. I do explain at the beginning of the class that I recognize they are all paying good money for the very best education and I'm committed in providing it for them. I advise that they are not paying for socializing or disruption and this actually steals from them what they are paying for.
More often than not, this has helped and actually engages their fellow students to help monitor the behaviors.
I also will call upon these students to answer questions or help with activities. If they are just craving attention, this may help, or if they really aren't that into being "put on the spot", tend to settle down, as to not bring that unwanted attention to themselves.
Agreed! If you have to send a student home, and you have cause to, it definetly sends a message to the others that it will not be tolerated!
Wow! Thank you! I like your approach to this. This is supportive of how I believe the classroom should be handled. With respect and the backup of the school policy!
Thank you,
Keith
Discipline is good. We all need structure and welcome it even when we least expect it.
If it means setting an example by asking those students to leave because they are being disruptive, then do so.
Too often we feel that since they are adults, we should just let them do as they wish, but we are preparing them for the work place and disruptions are not welcome in a working environment.
Also, have some class discussion and sit in the back of the room with them and make the other students in the front turn their chairs around to face the students in the back during a discussion. This will make them feel uneasy and possibly shine some light on the situation for future improvement.
Susan,
Thank you for sharing this example of how a situation can be handled with minimum disruption. You saw the situation, addressed it and it was over. This kept the class moving forward to the benefit of everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Keith,
Appreciate the kind words and glad they are of help to you. I wish you much success in your teaching efforts as you help create career opportunities for your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Darlene,
Good for you. Instructors have to remember they are in charge of the learning environment thus they set the tone for the learning that is going to occur in the class. This active approach stops or greatly slows disruptive student behavior.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Ralph,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing this with us as many instructors are being challenged by this same behavior.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A few semesters ago at a community college I had a student by the name of Michael whom brought his laptop to class. I understand that students take notes in when the class is taught in note-taking lecture style. However I was teaching Calculus II. A pencil, paper, and a calculator is all that is needed. Michael was looking at pictures, playing games and surfing the web. No surprise that he failed the first quiz. I asked to speak to him in private. I explained that the laptop was a distraction. Michael's responses was it was his his money that he was spending on the class. Agree, however (then I presented the syllabus)the school's policy do not permitted use of electronics in class. Michael never brought the laptop to class again. ~Susan Paxton
Hello Dr. Meers,
This course and forum has exceeded my expectations! This is a great learning tool. I appreciate the feedback and useful ideas!
I'm going to number off the students and will probably remove the chairs from the back row.
They all paid money to be in this program, and as you say, those that are more interested in learning should not suffer.
Thank you,
Keith
I sent someone home the other day because of text messaging (against school policy to have phone on). This seemed to send a message to all of the students that I am aware and will follow up on policies.
The individual did go to the Dean. The Dean informed the student that I was following protocol and that this policy has been repeatedly reminded to the students.
Thank you for your input!
Keith
Interesting!
I have stragglers/loners and cliques.
Thank you for the input!
Keith
