Stubborn Students
What do you do with the student, older or younger, that will not let an issue go.
Hi Ann,
This is why it is some important to be organized and give clear expectations to students, this way when they test the waters you have the course polices to refer to or it reduces the amount of times they do test the waters.
Gary
Sometimes it seems that the student will actually test the water as a child would. Once the boundaries are established, the student may be more comfortable with their own role.
Hi Catherine,
I wish I had a simple answer for you but I don't. The simple answer should be the student would be removed from the class and maybe even school due to repeated violations of instructor and school rules. If the student is somehow "protected" from consequences then you as the instructor have been reduced to a non authority position. This means that you cannot in reality lead the class since the student is really in charge of the class. Personally I would have to get the situation corrected by talking with the college administration and getting them to back me. If they won't then I am going to dust off my vita and look for another teaching position.
Gary
I agree that some things are just not acceptable. But what are the consequences? I feel there must be consequences that fit the behavior exhibited: Meeting with the student; Academic probation; suspension -- depending on the violation of rules. For example, breaking the dress code would be a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10, and cheating on a test would be a 9. (On my particular scale.)
What does one do, as a teacher, if a student is allowed to ignore the rules and other students see this and understand there really are no consequences?
I also agree. The other students should not suffer due to one special case.
Based on experience, I agree with this advice 100%!
I feel that this can settle the situation and set the tone for the other students that some things are just simply unacceptable...When the student returns however, in what way would you level the situation out so that there aren't any hard feelings and retention..retention...retention pops in my head...with a fear of losing a student...
Hi Marcus,
Have an out of class one on one discussion with that student and try and determine where he or she is coming from. If I have to I will tell the student in class that I will be glad to meet with them individually to talk about the topic or situation and that we have to move on in the class. That normally stops the student from carrying on any further. If it doesn't I ask the student to leave the class since he or she is affecting the learning of others and I will not have that in my class.
Gary
