Students that act like they know it all.
Trying to instruct students in class you will always come across a few students that know it or know more of the topic then you do. I always need a back-up plan with additional information that will again advance me over the students and the rest of the class to maintain my role as instructor in the class when the student at times wants to be looked upon.
When I have a student bring up a topic that is a "know it all" situation...I immediately ask for validation of training...other education....other experience on that topic. If it is a valid source then I show by example that you can learn something new even if you are "the teacher". I then wrap the conversation around to the material being taught. If it is irrelevant...then I state the no applicable nature to what is being taught...then proceed on.
Hi Nancy,
Great way to handle the type of student that tries to put you on the spot in front of the class. This type of student must be dealt with quickly and swiftly.
Patricia
In my class, I always tell the students that I don't know everything and that I learn something new every time I teach a class. I also try to encourage them to learn outside of their classes and textbooks. Now if someone is purposely trying to make me look stupid in front of the class, then I speak with them privately about respect for the learning environment. If my students consistently know more about the class subject than I do, I feel that I should be researching and finding additional information.
This happens a lot when dealing with the adult learner. I always let me class know that the amount of knowledge and information is not all of the information that can be learned on any given topic. I welcome additional information and comments and it makes for good conversation. It is also ok to say "interesting, I didn't know that". This allows for great classroom conversations.
If I am challenged in my class, I just start to go into further detail about the subject matter than is in the book we use. I rarely have anyone ask questions beyond that because most of the students arent prepared when they come to class anyway. However, I do encourage the studens to become subject matter experts and in order for them to do that they have to go read, I dont mind the questions or the challenge they have been made aware that if they challenge they had better have their stuff together or they will be embarrassed in front of the class because they did not do their homework.
Hi Anneke,
Have a private firm conversation to let the student know your appreciate their input, but they must be respectful when given their input.
Patricia
I kno, I always have a student in the class that has experience already or just the common knowledge of it.They do not keep it to themselves, but they pick that odd time to show it off. They just do not do it with recpect.
When this occurs, I often allow the student to speak, however I will elaborate more on the subject and speak of information the student has left out.
