students not getting along with eachother
I am curious as to what other instructors have done when faced with chaos and fighting among their students? These are adult college students who are not getting along and causing trouble with each other.
We had a class with very distinct cliques, and some inherited issues of poor management, plagued with distracting behavior in and out of class. Efforts to refocus and have class members get to know each other better were met with very limited success.
Their behavior soon prompted us to bring in the big guns of Program Director and Campus President to address topics of adult behavior and hostile workplace environment. No real effort was made to veil the fact that poor behavior would not be tolerated and dismissal from the program would be swift. This seemed to get the class' attention, and we completed the term without further incident.
It's unfortunate, however, and embarrassing that we felt it necessary to bring in senior leadership to address what we, as instructors, should have been able to manage. It did highlight the importance of modeling and enforcing desired behaviors from day one of class, and for the program's instructors to remain consistent in our expectations of civil behavior in and out of class.
I agree with Valeria, when we have trouble makers we seperate them. I will have them change their seat and set next to the student that they are having troubles with.
Valerie,
This is a great benefit from such projects. The students enjoy the project and get to work on their cooperative skills as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have also had the students do a project together. Sometimes it just a matter of them getting to know each other better.
Brenda,
First address the class about behavioral expectations as pre-professionals in their field. Tie your comments to their future and the success that goes with that. Talk individually with the leaders of the "dust ups" to seek their help by leaving the problems outside the classroom or lab. If they do stop the behavior then remove them from the class. They do not have the right to interfere with the learning of others and by doing so they have given up the right to be in the class and cause disruption.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
