Age gaps
From what I've noticed is that older students tend to be more active in their learning by asking more questions that may or may not be on topic. How do you control this without getting off topic or making it seem like you don't care about their input?
Hi Barbara,
You make a very good point about how you work with some older students. Many times new instructors can be overwhelmed by these more life experienced students. So by laying out the rules at the beginning of the course you will avoid getting into a situation where you have to take control half way through the course which can be very difficult.
Gary
I agree with you to a certain degree.
Often older students want to share, but are so used to having a dominant or controling role in group discussions that they unconciously take control - even usurping the instructor! Outlining the 'rules' of discussion on the first day of class is one way to deal with this problem.
Hi David,
Good way to manage the questions and keep the class moving forward. You are giving the students the opportunity to ask questions, they just have to ask them in the format you have established.
Gary
i think age has a little to do with questions but i see this situation from students just out of highschool to older students that havent been in school for 30 years. this happened to me and my class couldnt get through the lesson plans. heres the fix or change i did. i have students write down the questions they have while going through the lesson. i leave 15 or 20 minutes at the end of each lesson or class for a Q&A session. the Q&A is directed towards the entire class not just me. its a basic review of the subject we just covered and it gets more students involved
Hi Laurel,
Good way to handle such situations. If an instructor doesn't keep the focus of the class moving forward then the students are in effect dictating the direction the class is going to go. This cannot happen because then the instructor is no longer in control.
Gary
I, too, do not believe this is an age issue. In terms of classroom management, if the questions get off task, I tell them I will address them later at the end of the synchronous session. I make sure I cover all that needs to be covered, and IF I have time, I address their questions.
Hi Sarah,
This is a common problem with such a mix of students as you have. You are doing a good job of keeping control of the situation. As you know if you don't you can quickly lose control of the class and no one will benefit.
Gary
I have the same problem. I do encourage questions, but I find I need to constantly yank my older students back on track. They are so willing to learn that they take a question and run in five diffrent directions with it, while at the same time I have to drag questions out of my younger students who only want to talk to me right before a test.
Hi Lisa,
Well said. You can't let it go it additional class management issues will start to surface.
Gary
I have seen this not in just older students but all students. You have to try and make it apply to the content even if in a round about way. In my experience it is usually the one or two students in particular that this happens. If it is a distraction in your class you need to address it with the student directly outside of the classroom
Hi Michael,
You can control the questioning and discussion by redirecting it as needed. In addition, you can limit each student to a certain number of questions each class session. When I do this I make an announcement to the class that says "Since we have so much material to cover and I want to make sure I get to it all I find that I am going to have to limit the questions from each of you to two on each topic so I want you to think about the questions you ask so you will get all the information you want from each of those questions." This gives me the ability to keep the class moving forward while the students get to ask their questions.
Gary
I have seen this from all ages. It is something that could be addressed in the introduction to the course. Possibly an explanation about how much content will be discussed, and the fact that unless questions stay on the topic, you may not have time to discuss them.
