A caveat in the classroom
A major mistake that instructors may implement during a dissertation is to select a student that the instructor believes is not attentive due to a side conversation, dozing,etc. This endeavor could alienate the selected student's future learning abilities via unnecessary animosity and possibly cause trepidation among other students, thus destroying the prime objective of the dissertation: the assimilation of a key point.
Hi Rick,
Can you expand or clarify your point?
I can understand about not wanting to alienate a student from the class, but if they are having a side conversation, Dozing, texting, etc. I feel they DO need to be called out.
I think how the situation is handled is the key factor.
- Side conversation in class: if it is about the class material, we have an opportunity here. If one student has a question, it is likely others do too. Use this chance to expand or explain and clarify what was cloudy. If the side conversation is not about class material and is during a lecture or while someone else is talking then that is simply unacceptable. The students need to take it outside or wait until after class.
- A student dozing off in class: If someone is dozing, is it that boring? maybe another delivery method needs to be taken. If they are simply that tired, then they need to be dismissed from class so they can get adequate rest. Coming to class to sleep does nobody any good; Not even the students who remain awake. The message here is maybe the material isn't all that important.
- Texting or talking on the phone: Sometimes we have time when the students are working in groups or the class is split up to do things on their own. As long as the projects are getting done, I am not bothered by their phone use. If however a student tries to have a phone conversation in class or is texting (continuously) during a lecture, then that is unacceptable and they need to be dismissed from the class to handle what ever business they deem more important.
We try to have a tight-knit class where everyone helps to hold everyone else accountable. I realize this isn't possible in every teaching environment but if you are able to instill that type of accountability I think you will find students will help students. Instead of loss of attention in the class room, you will be able make use of strategies that target their learning styles.
Hi Rick, That's a good point! Our goal is to encourage, not punish. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
