Impact of leniency on Discipline/guidelines during first days of class
Being a new instructor, I have come to realize that (during my first few days of teaching) my initial approach to cover disciplinary measures and be clear with these measures were delivered ineffectively. There was lack of force in how I 'layed the rules' for discipline in terms of keeping silence during class hours. Approaching almost the end of the term, I have observed that 30% of my students would talk frequently during class lectures despite my attempts to get their attention, telling them in the politest manner and terms (language) that they could possibly understand to be 'students that need to pay attention and allow the rest in the class to focus and not be disrupted'. Personally, I believe that students are not perfect and get side tracked like anyone else, so I try not to embarass them with maybe a loud piercing voice and tone that would be just ready to reprimand them or pounce on them when I see them talking. Should I be firmer the next term and show myself less forgiving in this area? I want them to learn to respect the instructor and their fellow students without the implementation of fear of outright abrupt discipline. But I have qualms if that would be the right way to implement discipline. The rest of the students comprising 60-70% are focused, no issues with them. Would it be too late to implement stricter measures in the area of discipline right now? I would appreciate comments and suggestions. Thank you.
Douglas,
Good point and one that needs to be reinforced as each new class is started.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It is best to be very firm with classroom rules. You can always "relax" them if you so desire once you get to know your class. You can never be "easy" then get "hard" on the rules.
Firm but fair.
Sheila,
Good advice for beginning instructors. Your effort to reach out to other instructors resulted in positive teaching experiences for you. This is how you build your professional expertise. Thanks for sharing your experience in getting started as a new instructor with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I'm also a new instructor an I was uncertain about what to do and how to implement rules and make sure the students followed them. So I watched other instructors and also talked with them on how they maintain the "following of the rules" it helpd me a lot. In all asspects, I started to take control of my class rather than letting them take control of the class. The class ran smoother, never be afraid to ask other instructos how they run their classes or even ask to sit in on another instructors class. i have learned so much by just talking to ad sitting in on other classes.
agreed. The best I have done was to praise in public and punish in private... People love to be praised and love getting that attention from "Superiors" Also sometimes an embarrasing punishment in front of "peers" can cause them to rebel more to 'save face' or not lose respect. Of course I have only had that in the 20 somethings. almost never in people older as they seem serious about getting the job done and learning the material.
Noel,
Clear and concise rules for behavior are important. These rules need to be enforced consistently. Follow through on what you will and will not accept in terms of behavior. Something I have done is to do some role playing of negative behavior as well as positive behavior. This role playing is fun because the students get a laugh from the instructor talking on his cell phone and wondering around the class for example. I have a strict out of side and sound cell phone policy (emergencies understood).
It will be tough to suddenly enforce certain rules this close to the end of the session, not impossible but tough. Also, don't worry about being too strict at the beginning of the course you can always back off but it is tough to tighten up. Deal with discipline issues immediately, don't let them grow. When something comes up I talk individually with the student and as for his/her cooperation. This in most cases takes care of it because they like the individual attention. If it doesn't I inform the college that I will be taking certain steps. I want them to support my decision if I have to remove a student. I do remove students when they disrupt the learning of others in a major way. Everyone in my class is there on an equal base so I cannot and will not let one student ruin the learning of others.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
