The most challenging students are those who are trying to hurry through a course of study to get to what they believe will be fast money. My best approach has been getting them to realize that racing through studies is not going to achieve financial gain, learning however will give them a valuable resource to lean on while improving thier financial situations.
I have also extended those things to also include no cell phone calls or texting during class time. If they are to be professionals, they need to start learning now. That's an important part of their career preparation.
As the classes have gotten larger in recent months, the most challenging students tend to be younger adults who see this learning experience as an extension of high school, and sit in the back of the class and talk or surf the web on their computers.
I address this issue by constantly walking around the class as I'm talking and asking questions, so I end up back with them very often. I find that for the most part they aren't bad kids, nor are they stupid, they just need a bit of help focusing, and my presence helps them achieve that.
I also call on them a lot and engage them in the material as much as possible.
My biggest issue surrently is the use of cell phones. In the medical field, or any field, it is unprofessional to use them they way they do.
I deduct points from that evening after a warning.
In my 22 1/2 years of teaching the Spring 2011 Intro To Computers Class-of 11-3 girls and 1 boy were very challenging-ever-I made a great deal of mistakes;
If I had to do it all over again I would change my teaching style for this class of students and tried a variety of techniques; it might have kept them interested and less violent and into everyone's business
Hi Jesse,
You are definitely correct! ALL instructors should be on the same page and enforce rules. It really makes the instructor(s) enforcing the rules out to be the bad guy. We are not doing these students any favors by letting them break rules. In the workplace that Con-men/women mentality will get you fired.
Patricia
I find that the most challenging students are these stated "con-men/women". In our program, we have had a number of students who seem to make it their lifes work to find stratagies and ways around the system. It may be uniform issues, homework tardiness, attendance issues, but these students often seem to push boundaries in all arenas. One of the issues I see as a staff is that if we don't all keep the same high and specific standards for these students, they begin playing games pitting staff against one another. I belive that this issues in essence is an internal one. As a staff, we must presnet a unified approach to not only these students but all students. If a student is late for a class with one instructor, the penalty and repurcussions need to be consistent for another instructor. This lets the student know that there are clear boundaries and tends to straighten their behaviors.
Hi Richard,
I concur! Some students are just not motivated at all, and we as educators have to do what we can to get them excited to become motivated. I have had unmotivated students to talk with the placement coordinator so that they can understand their strong potential for professional employment in their field.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the ones that do not want to come to class or come only for a portion of the class.
I try to emphasize the importance of class time and give assignments to the students each week. the ones who miss class know that the assignments are made from a prospectus and know they are due. This affects their grade.
Hi Karne,
You have a policy in place, make sure to enforce the policy. It should be some type of repersussion in the policy so that students are discouraged about using their cell phones and laptops during class time.
Patricia
Hi Karne,
Staring at the student and not saying a word works. The student gets it. It is super that you follow up with the student after class to let the student know that the type of behavior is unacceptable.
Patricia
Lois,
I do the same thing myself. I stop talking and stare at the student. Then the students start looking around. Most of the time the loud student doesn't say a word for the rest of the class. In some cases, I have stopped and asked that student a question about what I had been discussing. Then at break time or after class I talk to them alone about their behavior. Usually I have no more interruptions in any class after that.
I too have caught students texting away and I also take the phones away for the duration of the class. What I am seeing over time is that the language that students use in their text messages carries across in their writing. However, besides taking away cell phones, I have also taken away laptops because students were emailing on them or playing video games. There is a strict policy at the college and on my syllabus that doesn't allow this during actual class time only before class, during breaks, or after class.
The most challenging students are those who lack the intrinsic motivation necessary to push themselves along their course. What I have found to be effective when dealing with students who lack intrinsic motivation is to talk with them and find out their interests, why they are in their program, and what they want to do career-wise. Then I try to show them how this course and this program can help them to achieve those goals. Once then see "what's in it for them," some of the less motivated students gain a greater interest. Other students benefit from knowing that the instructor is actually interested in them and their well-being. This can help improve their motivation in some cases.
Hi Elizabeth,
This can certainly be the case. These students really need validation as to how good they really are. They have not been told at home how smart or good they are. We have to be our students biggest cheerleaders.
Patricia
There are a number of problem students. like student coming late or leaving early, too many absences, eating or drinking in the class, sleeping in the class or worst of all disturbing the class. My strategy is to address the situation one to one with student. Direct approach and then a warning to write up.
I try to make challenging students feel good about themselves. I find they often lack confidence due to never being told they are good enough.
Hi Thomas,
I think it is a fabulous idea! You can make this rule unique to your class if it is not a policy that does not want to be implemented institution wide. With today's technology, we need to know what our students are using in class.
Patricia
Student have more technology today, Its hard to tell which students are using computers to help take notes or who are not paying attention. Either way the student need to talk to the teacher before they start to use something new in class. I think making a policy to ask the Teachers before class if they want to start to use new learning techniques. The teacher will be able to keep control of the students better that way….What do you think?
Hi Crystal,
I concur! These are adults, and they should not have to be reminded constantly about anything. In the workplace their boss will not constantly remind them. They must take responsibility, otherwise they will be terminated.
Patricia
