It seems to be a variety of students who bring different problems. The students who are unfocused tend to be the one's who are overwhelmed outside of school. They have family or finacial issues weighing on their minds. I really liked the idea of "minute papers". I think this would help the students know that they need to pay attention and help the instructor know if they are all on the same page for what the class was about that day.
Hi Caroline,
What type of anger have your students had and how do you go about giving them attention?
Patricia
Angry students are most challenging. Paying attention to them seems to work
Hi Thomas,
Wow, I tend to see just the opposite. My students are so motivated and pumped to get out and start making money, some of them perform at their highest level right before graduating.
Patricia
Hi Alyce,
You're right, some students want handouts, however there are a few who genuinely wants a helping hand.
Patricia
Hi Christina,
I've seen a lot of instructors use the desk or podium as a crutch. Instructors need to get close to their students and be all over the room so that it makes it hard to have inattentive/unfocused students. The instructor has to have the highest level of enthusiasm in the classroom.
Patricia
Hi Tanya,
I am right there with you. I do not go for extra credit. Do what you are suppose to do on required assignments and there would not be a need for extra credit. Great idea about the study outline. I do a study guide. Some instuctors do no do either, so our students should be grateful.
Patricia
I agree with you Tanya. Some students believe that everything should be given to them. I wanted things done differently like have the students actually study or read the text. So I ask … what is the point of giving them a test?
-Alyce Dexter
My most challenging students were the ones who always wanted extra credit for every little thing and those who wanted me to tell them exactly what would be on the test because "they didn't want to waste their time studying things that wouldn't be on the test".
The best strategy I have found for the extra credit issue is to state on my syllabus that there will be no extra credit. The other situation I solved by giving them a study outline for each chapter and by telling them that it is not a waste of time to learn any of this material because they will need it for their job!
Glad to see you do not give in to their low energy.
I think you nailed the idea by saying the instructor should be "interactive with every student". I teach instructors how to teach and frequently see instructors hiding behind the desk or the podium. Can't create an "environment" that way!
My most challenging students are the students that are about to graduate. The issues I see are the same issues that I saw when teaching in the public school system. The graduating students get very lazy. They lack the motivation to stay at the top of their game. I refuse to allow these students to falter. By keeping the energy level in the class at a high level, involving the entire class in a excersize, and being interactive with every student the instructor can keep the students from being unfocused and maintain a exciting learning environment that the students want to be a part of.
Hi Christopher,
I've never experienced the age hate, but I have had instructors to tell me that students seem to be angry with them because they are younger and are successful.
Patricia
when I started teaching at 34yrs old and having some students older than me has been a bit of an issue. They sometimes get an attitude that if you are so much younger than them, how much can you really know? It's a challenge because you then seem to have to prove yourself to them to get their respect. Once you manage to prove your worth as they tend to see it things seem to smooth out< but during the part where they want you to prove that your not just some "kid" standing at the front of the class they can undermine your authority over hte rest of the class somewhat.
Yes and it gives the instructor more time to devote to the student groups that require more help / management.
Hi Laurie,
Great point! Don't fall down to the students level to converse, have the students rise to your level.
Patricia
Hi Carl,
The partnership usually works well when you pair students as you have stated.
Patricia
Hi Margaret,
Lucky you! What a great way to blend the ages. I hope things continue to work well for you.
Patricia
Who are your most challenging students and what strategies have you found to be most effective in working with them?
Fortunately I have had very good students! Mostly older than traditional college students, many re-training into a new career. Perhaps some are nervous about their student abilities, are rusty, etc. and I use learning groups which seem effective in including everyone and blending the ages.
puting them with students that are more foused than they are. Not to the point of leaving them behind but some what ahead of where their that usualy pulls them along and eventualy they ketchup. Changing questioning techniques and trying to use material that is more inline with their learning types with out slowing down the rest of the class in the process.
