Managing troubled students
How do you manage the one bad apple?
Hi Carrie,
It sounds like with you three strikes and then you are out. I give them a fair warning, and they are out after the warning. I do not have a very high tolerance for nonsense.
Patricia Scales
I, like Michelle, get the student engaged in classroom activities. If the problem persist, I usually talk to the student one on one. Hopefully, that will correct the issue. If it doesn't, I then take points off of the chapter test or send them home. I always give a person three chances, not just in the classroom but in life general.
This is an area where I want to be firm. I warn my students that I don't teach elementary school for a reason and that if it feels like I am, we are all in for trouble. Boundaries presented with humor are generally a winner for me.
You usually can tell a troubled student in the beginning. Just sit and watch, at the same time, explain to them on day one what will and will not be tolerated.
Hi Keith,
Our troubled students know that they are warned one time, and if the trouble continues they are withdrawn from school. This policy really decreases trouble we may have from students.
Patricia Scales
Physically separating students with a conflict might be one way to deal with this. One example of seperation involves asking or demanding that the students occupy oppisite corners of the classroom or lab. If this is uncomfortable, a consideration might be to announce to the class that assigned seating will be required for the next couple of days. This re-assignment of seating should involve all students. If this eliminates or lessens the problem, stick with the new seating arrangement. I usually have several lab sessions that require teamwork. If there are 2 or more students that can't seem to get along and cooperate, I will assign the teams and make sure that the problem students are seperated. We also have a Professionalism Grade that is very effective in handling these types of problem. All students know that they can fail a course because of unprofessional behavior. Not all school or training institutes have this kind of tool, but it is very effective.
I have witnessed class situations where one student becomes irritated by their fellow classmates and causes conflicts with the group... they don't necessarily have a problem with the instructor but with the class or certain people.. how do you handle this situation ?
I get them active in classroom dicussions. This way they feel so important and do not give me a problem. I make them feel special!
Hi Aaron,
I do not tolerate foolishness. I nip it in the bud. I will firmly warn the student, and if the behavior continues I will remove the student from my class permanently. What do you do to control the one bad apple?
Patricia Scales
