challening students
i love too have challenging students. they make me even work harder to get them involved.
I can somewhat agree with that. I also let them know that none of us are born into out profession we all have to learn it and I myself am still learning new things every day.
Hi Ralph,
I like the analogy compared to jig-saw puzzles and crossword puzzles.
Patricia
Challenging students are important to keep the instructor's sharp and focused. The main purpose of instructing is to draw the student into the learning experience.
Challenges are good for the instructors just as much as they are for the the students to be challenged. We perform better. Who does the easy crossword puzzle? Who puts the easy jig-saw puzzel together? THe intrinsict value of a challenge supercede minor failure and leads to more effort
I think its important to have a one on one conversation with the student to see if there are any barriers or underlying issues that may be causing them to be a challenge. Sometimes it helps to highlight their "challenging attitude" and how it is impacting the classroom time in request of them working towards some action plans to improve their behavior. I've had challenging students that were highly engaged and dealing with personal conflict outside of the classroom, and others who were just not interested in the content at all
Hi Monte,
How do you tend to deal with challening students? I tactfully let them know that they do not know it all in a professional and private manner.
Patricia
Some of the most brilliant students that I have ever had were misunderstood.
