How do you stop the side conversations?
I have a little group that keeps a side conversation going and its normally not about the material. I am trying to treat all as adults. What can I do?
Absolutely love this suggestion! Nothing motivates a student like the possibility of losing out on points in a class! I will definitely try this the next time it happens.
Hi Steven,
Sometimes a sterner approach has to be taken. My stern approach, if need be, is to have a private conversation and let them know that if the talking does not stop, I will remove them from the class. This approach works.
Patricia Scales
Proximity helps a lot. Sitting down in their area and discussing the work being done, commenting on success or anticipating a new direction to go in their idea development. Asking questions avou their concepts and drawing them out, even as a group, getting input from the other members of the "gang" in evaluating the progress of one another.
It might be a matter of including this in a list of agreed upon rules on the first day of class--no side conversations during class. If students have side conversations, remind them of the established rule--you could even ask the class to remind you and them of what you agreed upon. If the talking continues, then I would take disciplinary action, including asking students to leave the room.
Some of these suggestions, though effective, seem to strip the student of respect. Even though you, as the instructor, may feel that you are being disrespected, the appropriate respose should include respect for the student. Singling the student out in front of every one will not foster the respect your looking for going forward. I don't face this problem much. I take pride in making the students time very engaging and valuable by staying topical, relevant, informative and entertaining. If I notice students talking during my class I don't jump to the conclusion that they are doing something wrong, I think I am doing something wrong.
It's the students time. If they want to spend it not paying attention I don't let it bother me. If they become a distraction to others (draw attention away from me) then I would bring them aside after class and let them know why it's a problem. Continued disruptions would require me to remove them from class in a subtle way, handing them a note without drawing attention to it, for instance. I haven't had to do that yet because of my emphasis on keeping my classes engaging and interesting for everybody.
Pause and wait them out. Usually, the offending group will realize that you are waiting on them to stop the side conversation. Also, proxemity works. Move close to them while you are lecturing. They will get the subtle message that the side chatter needs to stop. I hope these two strategies help you.
Jackie
I really believe that relating their behavior to the "real world" is the most effective. Employers will not tolerate that kind of behavior, and we, as instructors of adults, should not either. They may feel they have the "right" to waste their own time and money, but when it affects others, it is no longer a personal decision.
Hi Dawn,
This can be challenging. You need to let them know plainly that chatting is not allowed.
Patricia
I have a group of students who speak English as a second language. I know sometimes their side convrsations are related to the course work and they're helping each other out, but since I don't speak Spanish I don't know when they're just chatting.
every day, reassign seating. Shakes things up.
Wow, I thought maybe my class or I was abnormal, since they are adults but sometimes really don't act like it. There are some really good suggestions here that I will have to try.
Hi Barbara,
This tactic is very effective. I dislike holding the whole class up though for disruptive students.
Patricia
I call those students out and it directs the classes attention to them and i wait to continue until their done and tell them they are taking from the students that are here to actually learn. What that does is makes them be quiet cause they dont want the rest of the class getting mad caus they cant get the education they have paid for and are there to learn.
I agree. I begin on the first day by explaining that the classroom is my professional workplace and I expect my students, as adults, to behave (and even dress in accordance with school policies) with this in mind. This has helped with many disruptive behaviors, including use of inappropriate language which I will not tolerate. I have found as well that it's often 1 or 2 students and that other instructors have problems with the same students, so we work as team to be consistent. I must admit that I incorporate an "attendance & participation" aspect in every course I teach, so they can lose points for continued problems after an initial warning. This may seem a bit "high school," but I feel it's such an important tool and concept.
I immediately stop what I am doing and tell the entire class to take out a sheet of paper. I tell them them they are about to take a 20 point pop quiz. Then I proceed to ask them to explain what the last thing I stated was. I really use this when I get the side chatter while another student is asking me a question. I will then tell the class to take out the paper write down what Jessica (the student asking me the question) just asked me and what was my response. Obviously those who weren't paying attention or were unable to hear due to the side conversations will not be able to answer. I let them attempt to answer, hand it in and then proceed to review professionalism and the fact that everything in class is important AND fair game for a quiz/test. Including when I am talking or when a classmate asks me a question. IT WORKS GOOD! I usually only have to do that once so I never really count it as a quiz grade, just use it to prove a point.
Sometimes, when I have a couple of students who keep chattering, I bombard them with questions regarding the material that I am discussing. Either they like the challenge and become engaged in the class or they don't like the challenge and they keep quite so that I let up on them. Most of the time this works well for me.
Hi Sherrie,
I think you are being more than fair! Your students should appreciate the ample opportunities you give them to remain in class although they are being very disrepsectful. I am not this lenient. After the first warning, I remove the student from the class.
Patricia
I stop talking and focus my attention on the side talkers. This diverts the entire class to them. Then I asked them to share with the class what they were discussing, since it seems more important than the lesson material.
Usually they apologize and stop talking. If it continues, they are asked to leave class until the break and return afterwards.
If they continue to disrupt, they are given a report to submit within 2 days about the lesson material they chose to ignore.
If that doesn't stop it, they are counseled, written up and placed on behavior probation, which could result in them being dropped from the class if it happens one more time.
I teach evening courses most of the time, so I move around the room. I actually move around quite a bit. Not only do I keep the attention of the students, but I keep myself active and alert longer too!
