How to stop the back discussions in class?
Why do they constanting talk beyond the instructor.
Sandra,
Even though they are adults they acted like children. You had a very good approach because you gave them an opportunity to correct the behavior but if they didn't they were going to be called out. You didn't let them disrupt the learning of others. Good job.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I had 2 students who were guilty of this. I had the students take a 10 minute break and addressed the "culprits" privately and told them that I did not want to draw attention to them and cause them embarrassment, but if it continued then I will stop talking and address them to share with the class.
Afrodite,
Good point about student differences and being aware of how to manage the different behaviors during class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students talk beyond the instructor for three reasons. 1. They may actually be excited about the topic at hand and they are sharing personal experiences that they have had which relate to what was being discussed. As an instructor you can ask them if they wish to share with the class. 2. They are not interested in what is being said and they are showing disrespect to the instructor by talking. 3. It could be a culture difference. I am from a culture in which everyone talks over eachother and at there will be three conversations going on at the same time. You have to practice not doing this to others when this is what you are used to.
I stop my lecture and look at them, the other students do the same....I make the comment that we both can't talk at the same time.
I also say somthing like Can you let us all in on the conversation.
I try, without the students necessarily noticing, to pick up on the content of the students' conversations. In cases where the content isn't associated with the learning objectives at hand I will offer a suggestion that we get back on topic. In cases where the content is course related I will often start off with something along the line of, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation..." and then steer the attention of the class, and those that were involved in the conversation, back toward the subject at hand. At some later point (as the students are returning from break, for example) I will try to talk to the disruptive students and, while offering support for the fact that they're discussing concepts related to the course objectives, I will remind them that there is a time and place for open discussion, and that time is not while the instructor is lecturing.
Julie,
You really have to keep up this effort or they will derail the class. They will be in charge of the class through their side bar conversation and you will lose the respect of the rest of the class.
Gary
it is difficult. I have 2 new students having their own conversation have asked them to include us. I will have to keep working on this ara.
Julie,
Lack of respect for the instructor can be one reason. Another is the instructor has not established himself/herself as the class leader. The class is not being managed in a way that the students are giving their attention to the instructor. The instructor needs to take control of the situation and be the learning leader.
Gary
