Instructor as example
One problem I've noticed is that no matter how good of an example I set (arriving early, being prepared, being honest and fair, etc.), many of my students do not adopt these traits. Of course, that's no reason to stop doing them, but I wonder to what extent it's my responsibility to or if it's even possible for me to teach non-idustry-specific characteristics such as politeness (not talking on phone during class or leaving repeatedly, etc.) and professionalism (punctuality, meeting deadlines, conflict resolution, etc.). My grading structure and course requirements reinforce these things, but many students just don't care.
Socorro,
We need to do all that we professionally can do for our students, even the unmotivated ones. In the end it is up to them to be successful. Knowing that we have provided maximum learning opportunities puts the success or failure option in their decision making domain.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Hi, I know what you mean but the way I see it, those students who do care will thank you for what you have taught them. True one should never stop so that maybe those uncaring students will change his or her attitude and get with the program someday.
Stacy,
This is an important part of teaching. The students need to realize that the standards you set for your course are those of the field and that they need to conform to them if they are going to be successful in the workplace.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I make a tremendous emphasis on behaviours and attitudes that are not only acceptable in class, but industry-wide as well and discourage the behaviours that will not serve them in the workplace.
Marsha,
Great example of valuing education. At 42 you "got it". Going to school was real and this is something many students miss. Sixteen million children wake up each morning in the world with no opportunity to go to school. For adults the numbers are even higher. To be able to go to school and gain knowledge and skills is something to be appreciated. Yet, I have to constantly work on getting students to come to class each day and on time.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Michelle,
I single out my challenging students and talk with each one individually asking them for their help in making the learning environment better for everyone. This is effective in most situations. They like the personal attention. If this doesn't work I put the students on a behavior management plan that is time limited. It is a contract between me and the student. I lay out the course expectations, policies and rules. I then let them know they have to follow them or they will be removed from class. I keep the administration informed each step of the way. If there is no change then I remove the students. I am very clear that they do no have the right to disrupt the learning of others.
A remember is to make sure your rules and expectations are communicated clearly with your students. Be fair and consistent in the enforcement of them. Jump on an disruptions or challenges quickly before they grow so the students can see you are going to maintain order and control in the class and that you are in charge not they. This is an ongoing challenge in teaching so make sure you have a plan in place to keep your class progressing and your students engaged each time the class meets.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I believe students care, I also believe the higher the education is the more we respect we have for the instruction. For example, as I was recieving my Master Degree, I was so hungry to learn. It was so intresting I didnt want to miss a minute and didnt want to leave when the lecture was over. I was 42 and paying 40,000. What a difference a little age (maturity) makes!
How do you enforce these standards in a classroom with students who persist in testing boundaries and use passive-aggressive behavior. I want to avoid power struggles that are non-productive, but also want to maintain structure and fairness.
Sherile,
This is a tough one. In your syllabus set forth your expectations and policies clearly and then be consistent in enforcing them. You will find that the students will settle in a comply with the policies if you keep the class engaging and the course moving forward. They will even respect you for the stand you are taking on helping to make the learning environment less distracting.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In my attempt to reinforce specific characteristics,especially cell phones, I met great opposition..students went all the way to the chancellor. I was not asked to change my policy but explain to students why they were in place. Admitedly, I was a little sore about it & unhappy with the students I was trying to help.
Yvon,
Thank you for these comments. They are so true and we need to remember them as we prepare and teach our content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students will wish to forget about a bad instructor soon as the course is over. They will forever cherish the memory of a good one.
Walt,
I like your attitude and effort. You are right about how we are faced with a very large task since we have such a short exposure to our students. We need to set the standards for the class and be consistent in enforcing them. The students can learn and grow during the class and leave with more knowledge, skills and understanding than when they entered. Along with this development maybe they have acquired some social and human interaction skills as well.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
From my experience, you will need to have a lot of patience when attempting to break these bad habits our students have. Think about this generation and how they grew up. The common denominator is that they did not have the level of discipline at the family level that prior generations had. I know that in my classes, students coming from a two parent household are the exception, not the rule. So, can we as instructors have a positive impact on these students and eventually change their behavior? The answer is YES! We have to be willing to call them on it whenever we see the inappropriate behavior. Our approach is critical. When I bring a matter like this to the attention of the student, I try to do it in a positive and non-threatening way. It has gotten to the point that when a student mis-behaves, all I have to do is to make eye contact with them and they and the rest of the class know what's coming next. Encouraging peer pressure from the students who really do care and behave appropriately also helps break these bad habits. Remember, we are tasked with un-doing a lifestyle that these students have had for many years. We are not going to change them overnight BUT there is hope through perserverence. It works for me!
Robert,
Good connection between behavior expectations in class and the reason for the expectations. Yes, they will need to conduct themselves professionally upon graduation if they expect to have any success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructors have to walk the walk and talk the talk, as well as have the expectations that the students will do the same.
I am of the understanding that professional behavior is not a suggestion. On day one a set the expected behavior of myself and everyone else who is in my class. We all follow these guidelines because it is not just the expected behavior of me, but their future employer
Sue,
Depending on how disruptive this student is and whether you want to deal with a grievance. If he is disrupting the learning of other students then he should be removed from the class or isolated from the rest of the class by setting him at the back or front. Grades or no grades he cannot disrupt the learning of other students that have paid to come to school just like him. Calling his bluff is one way to see where he is at. If he wins this battle of wills then the instructor is done in that school because the other students will do the same to her knowing that they can get away with it. She needs to be supported by her administration if she is to survive this challenge.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Interesting - this isn't my post but it is almost as though you have been sitting in one of the class rooms in my program. I agree that one needs to enforce rules - so I am looking for suggestions of a way to handle a specific student.
This student is very intelligent and earns straight A's. However he seems to have a personality issue with the new instructor for his class. First he asked that the instructor not praise him in front of the class (though it is something she does for everyone) and he doesn't want to be "called out" when he isn't paying attention and thus has no idea what she is talking about when she calls on him. Now it is reached the point where he demonstates passive-aggressive behaviors where he makes it very clear he is either totally bored by the lectures by looking out the window, reading old items on the bulletin board in class or putting his head on his desk or on his knees with the excuse he is "stretching" How would some of you handle this type of behavior. This student has already mentioned filing a grievance because we hassle him
Sue,
Share your rules for class conduct and let the students know they are based upon the industry/business standards and then enforce them. Yes, stop and call out the student for texting. It won't be long before it will stop. If you don't enforce your rules then they will not be rules they are only suggestions which will not be followed. Connect their in class behavior with work place behavior so they see the reasons for the rules you have for the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
