Difficult students
This question is for the group. How would you deal with a know it all student who ask questions that are so detailed you know they are trying to make you look like you don't know anything? That happened to me 2 semesters ago. I was asked questions every class that had no relevance to the course and when I limit the amount of questions he can ask because of time constraints, his friends in the class ganged up on me and they all started asked questions beyond the scope of the class.
Frank,
and I think a big part of this is evaluating if the student sincerely wants an answer or if he/she is trying to get you off task. Your method is a great way to make sure you stay on task.
Dr. Ryan Meers
If i encounter this type of student or questioning,I tend to let the student know I am not sure of the answer, but will research and get him an answer, meantime we need to continue with class curriculum.
I sometimes will ask those students to help other students who may be less knowledgable by helping them to understand the materials.
Diane,
I agree that the occasional "off-topic" discussion is okay, especially if it's something current & timely. But you're right that we need to be able to get back on track appropriately.
Dr. Ryan Meers
cynthia,
I think this can be a good way to see if they really have those questions or not; as they won't stick around if they're not interested.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Yes there are several students out there that will do that to an instructor; I believe in being honest; I also believe that it is OK to go off topics for awhile but also to keep that student actively involved and challenge that student with questions that relate to the course to get that student back on topic.
I would give them a short brief answer, and tell them if they would like more detail to see me after class and we could discuss it in more depth
Rebecca,
I think you are dead on in your analysis. We need to be ready, if the opportunity presents itself, to dig deeper with the student & see if we can help in those other areas.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Rebecca,
it really is amazing to note how the group tends to police itself.
Dr. Ryan Meers
This is such a great discussion. As a professional Mediator, of course I was drawn to this thread.
I can compare dealing with a KIA (Know it all) student with times before my conflict management training. Trying to deal with "power plays" in the classroom made me feel disrespected and the blood started to boil. Whew, what a difference now. I have not reacted the same and boiled over with KIA competition issues since I trained 2 years in alternative dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, restorative justice).
A KIA student, in my opinion, is using the classroom (i.e. teacher) to supplement a type of power loss from another area in his life. After all, we teachers are relegated to "take in on the chin" and act professionally at all times in the classroom - absolutely never lashing out at our "customers." (not public school nor proprietary schools). An out of sorts student knows they have the advantage over the Instructor in the classroom. I think, if they need to lash out to revive their frustration or powerlessness, they take it out passive aggressively on the teacher.
What do you think about this theory? I'd like to hear from you.
Hello Louella, the thing about "silencing" an adult (asking them to refrain and will speak to them after class) can be tricky; it could be perceived as joining up in the argumentative game with him. I have never "won" using my authentic power (given by the college) to reprimand an adult learner in the classroom. I most often look like The Dictator to the other students. It is a fine line we walk, isn't it? I have chosen to "go into the conflict" rather than postpone it. (Albeit, I am a professional mediator and an Instructor in the field);
I really appreciated this story too, Summer. I have learned it is always best for the "group" to decide who the jerks are, instead of the Instructor - if I may say so. The group or class will expect the Instructor to try to keep the learning opportunities going -- without hostility and with grace -- but sooner or later the group will insist the disruptor be silenced or handled in a different manner OUTSIDE the classroom.
Robert,
I think this is a good strategy as it shows you too are willing to learn.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Ma. Louella ,
I think this is a good strategy & allows you to privately address the concerns with the student.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I had a student like that the last class I taught. When he would start to ask questions like that I would stop him and tell him we would talk about the question at the next break. If the question wasn't in my scope of practice I would tell him that I'm not a expert in that field but I would help him find the answer.
I do have some students with this kind of behavior. At times it makes you think "is the student challeging my intelligence or just do not know anything" After the second question, I can assess as to which motive the student has. I immediately tell the student to reserve his or her questions after class and I will personally attend to his concerns.By doing this the session continues without any further unnecessary interruptions.
Summer,
this is a great story & example, thank you for sharing your experience.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Hi Ingrid,
When I first started teaching I had a horrible experience similar to what you described, although several class members were involved. And as Dr. Meers stated there is always an underlining issue. For me, my students had a previous class that was terrible and we were in a classroom that provided a less than ideal learning environment. Both of these things were out of my control, but I happened to be the person they could take out their frustration on.
At first, it was like a battle of wills. My perspective was "it is my classroom-you need to learn." This clearly did not work and made things worse. One day I came in calmly, sat down on a stool and in front of them and began with "All right guys, clearly we have some stuff we need to discuss because this classroom isn't functioning well at all. You guys are paying to be here and my job is to guide you through this...." and the discussion went from there. I called them on their rude behavior, they called me on my disciplinarian attitude and explained their frustration in previous classes. Just being heard by a faculty member about some of their concerns ended most of the problems. There was still one student that was hostile, but I minimized her by paying no attention to off-hand comments and didn't escalate the situation when she tried to control the class. Near the end of class she was sitting alone because she just looked like a jerk to the rest of her classmates.
So, be honest with them about their negative behavior and try to break apart the "group think" mentality in class by appealing to those students who want to learn.
GOOD LUCK!
Ingrid,
definitely a difficult situation. I would suggest talking separately with that student to see what is driving this behavior & see if it can be curbed.
Dr. Ryan Meers
