Hi Lois
I agree, sleeping students are difficult. some of my students come to class after working all night. They have no problem telling me, that they are tired and intend on sleeping through the class. We cannot reshcedule them. I will try some of your methods.
I find that female students are my greatest challenge. I have found that one on one interaction by celebrating each student's unique potential and gifts encourages all students. We all benefit from encouragement.
Cell phone usage has been and continues to be a challenge with all of the instructors at our school. On the first day of class, I spend almost the entire period going over my rules with regard to cell phones, sleeping, etc. They have to sign a paper stating that they understand. Inevitably, some issues still arise. One time I found that 2 students in the class were texting back and forth during a test sharing answers. They are very sneaky about it. I issue a professionalism grade for each class session. My students know that that is one of the issues which results in points deducted if they do not follow the class rules. I remind them that an employer would not tolerate them being on their phone during work time and there would be consequences if it continues. I don't see this problem going away, but I appreciate the suggestions on how to handle it when it does come up.
Hi John,
I can tell by your response you are there for your students, which is definitely a good thing. I do not hold up the entire class. For those poor listeners, I tell them to see me before/after class for clarity,
Patricia
Hi Cynthia,
Trying have a firm yet private conversation wtih the two challenging students. You will see positive results, and the class will be much more pleasant as well as enjoyable daily.
Patricia
Hi Christine,
Challening students can be difficult to deal with. I like to have a very firm private conversation with these students in order to flow smoothly through the semester. The best way to humble them is to ask them a difficult question about the subject matter that they struggle with. This shows them that they don't know it all. You may have to ask a few questions before reaching this point, but it works.
Patricia
In the online environment my most challenging students are the ones that are new to technology and have difficulties getting around in Blackboard. To help eliminate the stress this students are dealing with I email them a detailed explanation of where to find things in the course, how to post their assignments, etc.
My most challenging students are those that do not follow directions well. They fail to take notes when going over projects or they take notes and don't use them. So far my most effective method has been to reteach or redirect that part of the project "one on one " when the student gets to that part of the project. This works well for the student but not for the class. It is tedious and slows down the class. I try to give a little emotional content and point out that I already covered that once, however, often times the problem repeats itself on the next project. I am always there for the student as I very much want them to succeed so I always cover things as many times as necessary, but it becomes a time management problem if too many students require this or the class size is extremely large.
Hi Jonathan,
I concur as well. Students need to learn how to be held accountable.
Patricia
Do these students respond with an intelligent answer? This has happened to me on occasion and I try not to take it personally. I sometimes lose patience with students like this and sometimes question why they are enrolled in the class if they think they know more than I. I find these students take up too much time for students who really need help and don't understand the material.
At present I have two more challenging students who tend to fuel one another's fire. In order to try to keep them at bay, during course instruction I will walk around the room, checking on each student's work, giving instruction where needed and always praise. I always receive a "thank you" and smile in response, and class tends to stay on task without disruptions.
I've also spoken with one of the students in a one-on-one conversation, discussing any thoughts or feelings they're experiencing, my thoughts and what we can do to be more productive. I received a very positive response from my student and it definitely made for a more enjoyable classroom setting.
Yes I agree, helping them to take personal responsibility will only help them to grow in more areas of life.
These students will find out the hard way when they land a job and learn how important professionalism really is.
My most challenging student is one who always challenges what I am lecturing about. He has a question for every thing I lecture about to try to call question to my knowledge. I like to try to turn the question back on him so he has to consider the answer instead. It works almost every time.
I teach Online classes so as I do not see my students face to face. I need to use other methods to see if they are needing my support. In the first week the students are asked to introduce themselves to the class. I try to get enough information to see which ones are working full time, need to travel in their job, are single parents or have other issues that make it difficult for them to schedule a consistent study time. E-mail is our routine method of communication so I will follow up with those that have not turned in an assignment or show signs of stress in their comments to the class in our weekly discusson boards. I especially try to help them see that they need a support team to make it in the Online program. I am one of the key people on their team, and they can turn to me for help! But they also need to ask family and friends for help to give them the quiet time they need to complete their studies. Giving themselves permission to get a babysitter so they can complete their studies and take an Exam may be just the suggestion they need to reduce their stress and be successful in their classes.
Hi Christine,
I have a similar attendance policy, and I have seen that this policy doesn't phase some students, but others are motivated by it.
Patricia
These points are counted in the attendance category which is 5% of their grade. Students start out with 100 per term and usually start with 3 points each night of class. These points has resulted in decreased grades for a couple of students but it doesn't seem to make an impact on them.
Hi Christine,
Where do you count these points, in which percentage category? I have a participation category that I deduct 5 points for each infraction and the category is worth 5% of their grade. I have seen this percentage area increase some students grades, and on the other hand I have seen it decrease some students grades. The repercussion has to be challenging enough so that it discourages inappropriate behavior.
Patricia
My most challenging students are those that have sidebar conversations while I am trying to lecture or when I am explaining a hands on assignment. The strategy I used is deducting 1 employment competency point (EC points) for each infraction, even if it means I deduct more than 1 in a class period. All students start out with 100 pts and one can be deducted each time they disprespect students or instructors, texting while in class, handing in late assignments,etc. I also confronted both students after class about it and warned them that should this behavior continue, I will separate them and if that fails, they will be sent out of class and school administration will be notified.
If anyone has other suggestions, I could use them.
Hi Matthew,
What a response! I can tell you give your all and all to every student. Every student matters, and we should teach to all.
Patricia
