what do you do with the hard heads what a private talk does nothing to change the student actions.
These students are very disrupted just by being in the room when the rest of the class is focused.
our day is six hours long. one break and one half-hour lunch. to keep students focused you can break up lecture with a trip to lab to show the system you just covered, or introduce them to the next system you our going to cover. by moving the body around unfocused students tend to pay closer attention.
Students who don't want to be in school are going to be a presence in any school. My heart goes out to them because I've certainly been there at one time or another. I've found that words of encouragement in a one on one setting seem to help - sometimes.
I also find that the younger students are a challange to keep focused. I will teach for about 45 mins and then give them an assignment to work on for an hour. I like to switch gears to keep them alert and they get more out of the material.
I also let students know they will be graded individually even though they are working as a group.
My most challenging student is the inattentive student. I think it is a good idea to look at the quality of my instruction to see what I could be doing to make it a more active learning environment. Sadly, though, sometimes now matter what I do, the students are still inattentive and can be disruptive at times. Proximity control can work some of the time, but I agree that usually you need to have a private conversation with the student. That helps me to show them that I care about them, and it helps me to discern what other issues the student is dealing with.
Personally, I have found that my students do not like assigned seats. The good students feel as if they are being punished. The suggestion of moving everyone one row would be a good alternative. I haven't tried that before, so I will file that tip away for the next time the need arises.
Students right out of high school still seem to be a little immature.
Sitting down with the student and developing a game plan together would help considerably with these students.
Angry students have been most challenging. i have found that just listening without much reacting seems to bring them back in line.
Hello,
Recently I had a student who liked to start arguments with his new instructor(s) - his view - "that way he got to know them better" (through conflict).
We at first had some issues, but constantcy & understanding led to overcoming his issues with guidance and coaching.
Tonight, the last day of class - he told me how much he valued my teaching style and was very moved by my relentless ability to instruct & uplift him to a higher level. He realized it's better to be given a challenge, than conflict!
Charles
Hi Joseph,
I like changing what you aunt said to pertain to education. You need to have this quote patened, and she will get half of the proceeds. :-)
Patricia
I think to be fair we must accept the idea that all students have a tendancy to be unfocused at times for a number of reasons. This requires the instructor/teacher to be aware of each as an individual and find the best practice to motivate him/her. We all have moments where no matter how committed to our studies, life creeps in and pulls us off track. I often will open with a statement that the best tool a student can bring to class is a good attitude. This will allow them to leave all of lifes joys so to speak out in the hallway until they leave for the day. Letting go and taking a breath will go a long way to helping any student maintain focus. For the really tough ones...as my great aunt used to say, the least loveable needs the most love, OK we may need to change it slightly to the least focused need more of our intervention in the form of postitve redirection. There is always a key item which will connnect the dots and allow the student to start learing...the trick is to listen for the clues so we can assist the student.
Hi Jim,
I generally have a good, firm conversation with these type students, centered around this type attitude is not going to get you anywhere. I also get other personnel involved to reiterate to the student what I have said. In almost every case, I have seen a positive turnaround after having several conversations with the student. The key is not to give up on the student, and I know these type students can be exhausting.
Patricia
I refer to my most challenging students as the "what ever" students. They have built a wall that I just can't seem to chisel away. They are quick to say 'I just don't get it', 'I don't understand anything', 'what ever'. They do not try to understand and will not try to narrow the broad 'anything and everthing' to a more specific portion of the subject. Any suggestions on how to start disassembling the wall?
Hi Robert,
Trying to get to the bottom as to why a student is tired or sleepy can generally help resolve things. Most of our students have a lot going on, and they need help with trying to juggle it all.
Patricia
Hi Eric,
Some people think they can do whatever they like. They also feel as though they can do things when they want to as well. We have to be the role models and teach them and show them the way.
Patricia
One of the most challenging students is a sleepy student. I find that by engaging the student in a general and concerning manner about why they are tired or sleepy helps the student to wake up. Having the student engage in the simple act of responding and conversing with me tends to be enough to wake they student up and identify what things the student is doing out side of class which is interfering with their education.
This is a fun task as younger think they can just do what they like and you have to show in many ways how they are to communicate as if they do not then in the future they are going to have many issues. So appling many things you have mentioned and showing you are there for them seams to work most of the time.
Hello Stu,
Finding common ground with a student is always good. By finding common ground, you generally can reach the student.
Patricia
Hi James,
Many, many years ago I was very close or even younger than most of my students. I always established the precedence on Day 1 whenever a new grading period began. Utimatley, it is your job to keep your classes focused and moving. Continue to keep them moving and focused.
Patricia
