Challenging students
I have experienced students who are overly chatty and those that routinely sleep during class. I agree with the course that a good way to deal with both sides of the spectrum is to split the class into small work groups.
Hi Jim,
What are some strategies that you thought of to deal with challenging students after having taken the course?
Patricia
Since completing this module I now have some stratagies that I can use in dealing with unprepared,ready to quit,apple polishing,blaming others,inattentive,and center stage students.
I agree with both the course and what several of you said about challenging students. As someone who has worked with students from younger ages in elementary and secondary school as well as adult learners, I find it very interesting to see how and when students might be challenging. In addition, it is also interesting how different personalities play into student behavior. Interestingly, I have found that younger students and adults who are challenging students tend to have more real issues than adolescents who sometimes want to be on the stage as they say or sometimes just want to challenge authority, etc. I also think they seem to see the least amount of consequence for their challenging behaviors and disruptions, particularly from their peers and therefore sometimes the challenges come merely to break up what students perceive as a boring day/lesson, etc. It was interesting to me to see with adult learners that most of the students don't want to have challenging students and don't tolerate fooling around, etc. and really want you as the teacher to control it and are even helpful in that process. With adolescents, I know I felt like the lone adult voice often in a wilderness of hormones and rebelliousness.
Hi Andrea,
I concur! Students really need to get use to working in teams this can certainly prepare them for the workplace.
Patricia
I think small work groups are not only a great way to deal with challenging students but also to foster a more collaborative environment. Often times in the real "work" world adults need to work as part of a team to complete a task. The students who sit quietly in the back of the class may be the same adults who are apprehensive about working on a team in the working world. Creating this scenario in the classroom gives them that experience ahead of time.
