The students I find most callenging are the lazy ones, you know the ones that want you to do every thing for them. Tony Herman
Hi Terry,
Nip the talking students in the bud. Your approach that you take to this challenge is very professional, and I am sure your approach takes care of things. Just remember, don't let the talkers control the class.
Patricia
Hi Louis,
Center stage students can add to the lecture, and on the flip side, they can take away from the lecture. You must control center stage students, otherwise, they will take over the class. It can be determined quickly who center stage students are, and once they have been determined, as the instructor, you must keep a watchful eye on them because they will try to run the class.
Patricia
I find that the students that keep talking are the most challenging. I will take them aside and explain to them how distracting it is to me and the other students and how unfair it is to to other students education.
I feel the most challenging for me is the center stage students, at first the questions are good they keep the class going but then the questions seem to be overwhelming and not important to class functions at the time. I offer to those students discussion after class or before to identify is it curiosity or just wanting attention.
Hi Douglas,
I refuse to allow students to sleep in my class. I do follow your suit, after a strong warning, if it happens again, I immediately remove the student. I do the same for mouthy students also.
Patricia
Hi Gregory,
From time to time, you may get students that will test authority. I let these authority testers know that it is not a game, and if you can not abide by rules, policies, and procedures then maybe this institution is not for you. Generally, after a good conversation, the student humbles himself/herself. The conversation is normally firm, yet professional and warm.
Patricia
I'm bothered by students that can't stay awake, and by those that can't shut up. Both types usually reguire a strong warning to let them know that I'm serious about their behavior.
A couple of the most challenging traits I see in my students are lack of motivation and students that have issues with authority. One of the best ways that I have found to deal with both of these issues is to build an atmosphere of respect in the classroom and also assign leadership tasks for the students of the class on a rotating basis. This gives the students a feeling of being part of something and a chance to both lead and be led in group activities.
Hi Steve,
Great point out as a challenging student. I've come across a few of these type students too. I immediately let the student know that he or she needs to share the conversation with the entire class or refrain from conversing. This tactic normally puts things in perspective.
Patricia
It seems my most challenging student is the one that holds his own conversation with others at or near his desk. I tend to direct more questions his way in hopes that he will pay attention to what is being taught. If this does not work I talk to him privetly and let him know I will hold him responsble for his actions
Hi Rich,
I've had to deal with a few of these students too. I always express that coming to school is a temporary solution to a permanent fix--remember no pain, no gain.
Patricia
Hello Timothy,
I remember those type students that ask questions all the time. They can be a challenge. You have to let them know that you greatly appreciate their questions, but the questions do need to be limited due to classroom time constraints, however, he/she can come by your office and ask as many questions as he or she likes. In other words, you want he/she to ask questions, but limit the questions.
Patricia
The student who works eight hours either before or after class. These poor souls have the drive and iniative to succeed but often times they are at their wits end with school and with work. A discussion with this student to try and understand where he is coming from and where he wants to be after graduation from school. Many of these students will change their ideas of what they want to do and where they want to do it. Often a discussion will re-invigorate this student to completion.
a student that asks questions all the time.questions are great.if the student is not understanding what is being taught,i will spend extra time after school,before class,or send them to fast lane to get the help he/she needs.
Hi Salvatore,
Wow, you handle this situation just as I do as a seasoned instructor for 20 years. Job well done, continue to handle situations tactfully and professionally.
Patricia
Hello William,
Your institution should really adopt a no cell phone policy. My institution has had a no cell phone policy for about eight years now, and it has been extremely effective.
Patricia
The trait that I find most challenging is the student that asks unrelated question like “why is the sky blue?” While question are great you might even say we are in the Q&A business , complicated and unrelated topics just slow down the process and frustrated the other students. What I usually do with this type of student is praise them for asking such a good question but explain to them that the answer requires more time than I can take right now so I would be happy to answer that for them at break or after class. Than when I have the in private I can talk to them about focusing there questions to the topic we are discussing and anything else that they would like my help with that doesn’t have to do with that days material can be discussed when it won’t distract other students that don’t want to go into the same depth, or direction as they do.
I find that the student that I have the most difficulty with are those that we call inattentive students. This bothers me in the way that I ask them why they are here and if they give me an answer that say's they want to be here I inquirer further of how we can get them to demonstrate to me primarily that they want to be here and let them know that the action of being on the phone or in constant conversation during the lecture mainly is perceived as I do not want to be here. In our discussion we also find other ways to get them involved and find out what might be so important with what they are doing sometimes you find that things outside of school are consuming there thoughts and they need to get them handled.
Hi Lyle,
The role of observer is a very helpful tool. I am sure it will prove to be very effective for you as well.
Patricia
