One student in the class
It is always a real challenge when circumstances lead to one student in the classroom. I implement a lot of projects and extra lab. Other suggestions are welcome of course.
I can relate to all of the responses on this subject. Unfortunately I have no iron clad remedies either. I think of it as a tutorial session/full-class room population. It can become somewhat personal;you learn things that are really TMI.
An absence really makes things difficult and can disrupt the class schedule. I havn't had to fail anyone yet, however, the personal element associated with one-on-one teaching can really make the situation very sensitive .
I personally believe that having only one student in the class makes the instructor very lazy and some time you become more sympthizer toward the student and ignore the students shortcomings.ONE STUDENT wants more favor from the instructor.
I am currently in this same situation. I have only 3 students in my class, but I continue to teach if I would have a full class. I feel that the students learn better if I do not just focus on one learning style, even if it is their learning style. I still incorporate the others with it.
Hi Brian,
You are on point! If one student shows up, you teach that student to the fullest extent. Your thoughts are the same as mine. Move forward!
Patricia Scales
I was wondring how to handle this.I am just starting out as an instructor.The instructor that I am working with now is in charge of the class until the first of the year then I take over. I sit back and watch and participate in calss. We only have five students. The other day only two showed up. The instructor didnt go over much since we only had two show up. I was kind of twisted between not teaching much because we only had two students and moving forward and the students that are missing will need to catch up. I dont think its fair for the students that show up on time and are there daily to be punished for the ones that cant make it to class. When I take over the first of the year,I plan to make it clear that they need to be in class or they may fall be hind some.
Hi Katherine,
I concur! Smaller is certainly more of a win-win situation for the students. They love it, and they feel they get their money's worth in full.
Patricia Scales
I actually prefer the tiny classes, by which I mean fewer than 5 students. I find that these smaller groups let me do more with the class. I develop a more conversational and approachable style, and am able to do more hands-on teaching with the students. Since I am able to devote more time to the students, I find that they often learn the material better than in a larger class.
Possibly the question should be restated as "How to handle the situtation where there is only one student assigned to a class." This is not a situation where students are absent, but a situation where due to scheduling and other factors only one student is in the class, others have not completed the necessary courses to be qualified to take the course in question. How does the student get the ability to gain from the interaction with other students, not just with the instructor. I saw the posting about treating the class similar to an online class, but many students go to our college because they do not want the online mentality. They want to be taught, not to have to teach themselves and be tested.
I have had this situation happen to me twice in the past three years. I still teach all of the materials, however my classes often do not last the entire class period. And you can just hope that nothing happens that makes the student miss class, but if they do miss, I just delay the lecture to the next class.
Hi Kimberly,
If you have one student to show. You teach as though you have a room full. Students must learn the importance of attendance.
Patricia Scales
This happens a few times per semester in my program. It makes it difficult to move forward so I stress attendance from day one.
This happened to me at another institution one time. I met with the student, face-to-face, the first night of scheduled class and established four future meeting dates, with reading assignments and online "chats" between them. I administered online tests for the student and it was a fairly successful experience for both of us.
