Hi Thomas,
What do the students use? Are the students using the excuse that they can not focus?
I get about 1 student every 2 months who uses this. And when they do I find it saves the class time because they get there presentation right the first time.
Hi Thomas,
What a great way to get your students ready for the next day's lesson. How has it worked out giving your students your personal telephone number? Do many students use this kind act to their advantage?
Patricia
At the end of the day I let them know exactly what they need to have ready for the next session and make sure all questions are answered. They also have my phone number and can call me if they have any questions on their assignments. So everyone shows up prepared with no excuses.
While it may seem that the most challenging students would be the “center stage” or the “blaming others” students, in my experience they are the easiest to deal with because their problems are clearly expressed. The most challenging type of student for me is the underperforming student that should be able to easily receive 100% on everything, but only gets B’s or C’s on quizzes or projects. The instructor must find out why the student is not performing as well as he or she should.
One example is from the developmental math course. The first half of the course includes the adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing of whole number, fractions, and decimal numbers. The second half of the course involves the use of percentages, rations and proportions, and signed numbers. Each student is given a proficiency exam before starting the course. If the student scores high enough on the exam, that student does not have to take the course. When a student has advanced math skills, having taken algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus in high school or college, and that student does not pass the proficiency exam, it is difficult to understand. Generally that type of student will think they know everything about math and not receive 100% on the first quiz or project. However, after I have a brief discussion the student usually gets A’s on everything from that point on. Also, peer pressure from the struggling students usually results in that student becoming a tutor to the other students. I like to tell the students that their cohort group is a team as it progresses through the courses of the program. Some students may be experts in math or English, while other students may be very skilled in meat fabrication or baking. When the students help each other, everyone learns better.
Another type of challenging student is the “inattentive” student. Besides trying to find out why the student is inattentive, I have found that directly involving the student in the class activity usually solves the problem immediately. I explain to the student that I want all of the students to succeed in math and the only way I know if they understand the material is for them to answer the math problems. Waiting for a quiz to demonstrate their knowledge may be too late. Generally, I let the students of the class volunteer answers to math problems that we solve together on the whiteboard and to ask any questions that they have. However, by directly asking an inattentive student what answer they have for the problem, that student is forced to participate. The slight embarrassment usually causes the student to become attentive. For some students, I may have to ask them for several answers during a class period. By the next class they understand that their inattentiveness will not go unnoticed.
Hi Brad,
What type of challenges have you had with students right out of high school? I certainly have had my challenges with these students.
Patricia
Hi Scott,
What type of signals do you see from those who party-it-up at night? Have you really seen a big difference in those who are brought from the back to the front?
Patricia
Those whom party-it-up at night and chose to sit in the back rows. I bring everyone forward if I see a distraction - this usually shuffles them apart from each other.
Students right out of high school are the most difficult. I make very clear of whats expected and I try and stay consistent with each student.
Hi Justin,
What type of activites do you normally give your students to let them know that they are important, and generally how do the students react to the activities? This is a very smart tactic to use with this type of student.
Patricia
my most challenging stutents are the ones who have an exuse for not knowing or just dont care so i give them something to do that will make them feel important or like they are needed there and that will usually help them focuse a little more
unfocused stutdents are bored or just dont want to be there. if they dont want to be there i ask them why are you here? they all have an awnser usually there bored,so depending on the situation i will make some kind of change like t what were talking about i will make it more interesting for them or give them more of a hands on, you should make the unfocused student into a focused student give them something to do make them feel important
younger students seem to have the most issues with being prepaired, having predetermined assiments that are due at the begining of class can help
Hello Jose,
It appears that you are on top of things, and you do a fine job of keeping your students engaged. Students need to be and want to be engaged. Continue to peak your students interest.
Patricia
HAVING UNFOCUSED STUDENTS IN MY CLASS ONLY LAST ONE OR TWO DAYS AT THE MOST, BECAUSE IT MAKES ME MORE AWARE OF MY TEACHING DELIVERY AND I INMEDIATELY ENGAGE THESE STUDENTS WITH YOU CAN'T MISS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LECTURE OR COOKING DEMO AND THEY REALIZE THAT THE CLASS IS NOT SO DIFFICULT AND THEY START TO GAIN CONFIDENCE THEN I WOULD ASK OTHER STUDENTS QUESTIONS AND THEN GO BACK TO THE UNFOCUS STUDENTS FOR REBATTLE BACK AND FORTH, THEY REALLY HAVE NO CHANCE TO STAY UNFOCUS, AND BY THE END OF THE DAY THEY REALLY ENJOY THE CLASS.
Hi Wayne,
Absolutely, you must let students know that you are in control, and you refuse to put up with their foolishness. Nip disruption in the bud immediately.
Patricia
I find having a private talk usually works. Some students don’t realize they are causing a problem. The students that know they are disruptive will normally behave once you make them aware you will not tolerate their behavior.
Hi Ray,
You do come across those type students who simply think they are better than everyone else. You have a good way of bringing these type of students back down to the level where they need to be.
Patricia
Hi Marc,
A lot of our students right out of high school are very naive. They don't have a clue about life. We have to simply guide our students in all areas.
Patricia
I think the first step to solve the problem with unfocused students is to find out the exact cause;if a student is not feeling challenged is one different reason as when a student is not understanding. In both cases attention is urgently needed and approaching those individuals closely and fast will help you keep positive class atmosphere safe.
