What do you do?
I have had times when a student has been sleeping in mu class. I always talk to the student and remind them of their choice to attend this school and their individual responsibilities before advising them of the negative consequences. What do you do when a student has a horrible work schedule but has good benefits, a family to support with those benefits but stills sleeps in class? I think he knows that I care but he also knows that I support the school standards of not sleeping in class. He may fail the class because of this behavior. Ideas?
This is a tricky situation (one that I've faced before). Students, especially in career colleges, are often trying to balance too much.
I think that referring the student to academic support would be a good start--they are most likely better equipped to offer solutions to this problem.
However, as an instructor, you may be able to level with the student and get to the heard of the matter. Perhaps offer alternatives.
I would ultimately, though, explain to the student that he/she took the course in knowing the times and responsibilities that would accompany it--and that, as such, they should be coming to class prepared and ready to participate. Sometimes that friendly reminder is enough.
Hi R. King,
By being sensitive to situations from which your students come and some of the issues they face in their lives you are able to target your instruction. This is so important for their success and I commend you for your effort. I am sure you are enjoying teaching success as a result of your attention to student needs.
Gary
This is a major problem teaching in a 24 hour town. Mamy of our students come straight from work or from dropping the kids off to school. Many of them didn't have a good meal before school. During my early a.m or late p.m classes, we have a brown bag discussion or case study session. The stimulation keeps the brain working and the coffee keeps them awake. If we keep the length of our lecture short (15 min)as suggested in the last course, the risk of a sleeping students is shortened, as well.
I do what my school wants me to do,write infractions and send them home for the day,end of story.
Hi Ryan,
Good strategies in offering variety to your students. You are right though with some it is a loosing battle. I try to work with such students but in the end it really is up to them and I make that clear in talking with them. Some get it and others wander through their lives wondering why they can't catch a break.
Gary
In the middle of a lecture I will sometimes do somthing simular. I will go directly from a technical point and inject a totaly off topic question or statement then just as quickley go back to the topic. I also like to have the students tables set up in a large U shape so that I ran roll in my chair among them and go from table to table and ask questions, pass around parts ect. Being at thier height is very different than what they are used too. I will sometimes give the "sleeper" a job such as working my remote for the power point. Even with all of this it is sometimes a loosing battle.
Hi Brenden,
Great way to involve students in discussion. Everyone can feel comfortable giving their opinion since there is not a right answer. Once they get to talking it is easy to transition them right into the topic for the session and the discussion continues.
Gary
I give the students the opportunity to stand up in class or take a bathroom break. Go get a drink anything to get them moving again. I also start small group discussions while waiting for students to finish writing down info. This could be debates on best movie ever seen, Is a Wendys Frostee a Frostee, or a milk shake? Anything their age group could identify with that really has no correct answer. This tends to get their collective juices flowing and keep them ready for the next debate. The next debate usually is the curriculum.
I usually make them stand in the back of the class. Does anyone think this is the wrong way to go about it?
Hi Robb,
Right you are. Movement helps students to stay focused mentally. The more activities you can use to change the flow of the class the higher the content retention will be for the students.
Gary
I agree. If no other scheduling options are available, physical movement can work wonders in keeping people awake. If possible break up the delivery into different tasks that include a lot of student participation as well, so he/she has to stay active and attentive during the class.
Hi Moira,
Good strategies for keeping the students involved in the various activities and refreshments to keep them engaged. These are the strategies that helps the students to make through a long evening in class after working all day and being very tired.
Gary
During my evening classes, we all (students as well as myself) can have issues with alertness, so I do small things like brings box of cocoa, or green tea to class and encourage those who need it to partake as well as making sure that about every 20 minutes the students MUST be in participation mode whether it be a project or a discussion. They understand that their grade is based upon how they contribute to this portion of the class.
Hi James,
This is a tough one. The poor guy is exhausted from his schedule but is enrolled in school to better himself. Since you have already talked with him he is aware of what he needs to do and that is stay awake in class. So unless he does he is not going to make it through the class successfully. Is there anyway you can get him up and moving about every 30 minutes or so? Anything that will get the blood flowing and the brain functioning. I would talk with your Student Services office and see if they have any ideas for how to work with this student. He is going to fail as it is now unless he can change his schedule where he doesn't work such crazy hours and get more focused on his classes.
Gary
