I only use a seating chart if the students are unable to control themselves in their choice of seats.
My most challenging students are the ones who act as if we are wasting there time. I try and bring as much real world experiences to the class, or give them scenarios where they have to apply what they have learned
We teach a number of hands-on skills that must be mastered in a short amount of time. I often find the students most challenged in this area are those who have been achieving high grades in theory and suddenly find that performing the skill is more difficult than they anticipated.
After I demonstrate the skill, I will break the class into groups of 3 to practice- 1 student is the performer, 1 the person (patient) upon whom the skill is being performed and 1 is the evaluator who is reviewing the skill performance sheet and coaching the performer. Each one in the group will have the opportunity to be all 3 roles.
the most challeging students get frustrated easily when they are unable to grasp a concept or skill set right away and make excuses on why they are unable to do it. I find that simply listening to them and offering different solutions to resolving the issue helps. I always tell them there are many ways to do things and the best way is the way that works best for you.
They tend to be students who have a lot of issues going on outside of the classroom. I found that being encouraging and constantly reminding them of why they chose to be here helps a great deal. sometimes they get off track and need that little nudge to bring them back to a place where they feel like they can actually accomplish this.
Hi Mary,
Girls can be a big handful. They have a lot going on in their lives that they do not mind sharing. As you stated, we must listen and give the best advice possible.
Patricia
Hi Theresa,
You need to have a heart-to-heart conversation with this student. The disruptions are not fair to you and your students.
Patricia
I found, contrary to the statement given in the course, that my most challenging students are girls. I find that not getting involved with the excuses they use and just listening helps a lot. Usually they have personal problems that have nothing to do with the course, and just want someone to listen to them. I listen and then offer encouragement as well as advice as to how they can improve in the class.
The disruptive student is the most challenging student for me.I found keeping him busy with assignments,or in a discussion group helps him or her to stay engaged and attentive.
My most challenging students are the Blamers. I find there are several sub types: the unmotivated, lazy ones; and the motivated, unconfident ones are a couple that come to mind.
With the unmotivated, lazy ones I try to ask them how they are doing on a daily basis, take time to cretique their work one on one with them so that they understand why they did good or bad, and call them if they are absent (which is something that is expected of me anyway). I don't know if it necessarily makes them a better student, but It must have an impact on their decision to complete the program successfully.
With the motivated, unconfident ones, I find that most of the time they are blaming me for their inability to do well on an assignment. Most of the time their problem with me isn't necessarily what they are complaining about. I have to schedule a one on one conversation with them and ask them what is wrong in order for them to actually divulge what is bothering them. Normally, just talking with them and letting them know that I'm interested in their feedback, and providing them with positive feedback neutralizes the situation and we both can get back to focusing on the leeson plan, that is until the next problem arises.
Part of the learning process of being an instructor is learning how to stand your ground with your students. Regardless of who the student is or thir personality, you are the manager of the class and what you say goes. As long as you are fair and upholding the policies of the school, your supervisor will "have your back" and will explain to the student what those policies are if they have forgotten. My supervisor tells me that as long as I am using out-of-the-box ideas to furhter educate my students, than he will not stop me from using those methods. Putting the students in a seating chart gives you some control over the class as a whole, which makes the learning experience consistently better for all of the students. The more mature students will understand this, even if it seems childish.
Hi John,
I like the psychology here. What type of responses have you gotten when this question was asked?
Patricia
Two types of most challenging students:
1) Those who focus only on getting the A--the grade is the most important and not necessarily the learning. They challenge every question they get wrong. A system was set up that all challenges to test questions had to be in writing with specific resources to support their thinking. No more time consuming class discussions on one student's attempt to gain one point.
2) Those who work so many hours and have outside of school committments that there is little time for studying and preparing for class. I tried to counsel students to get a calendar and set a monthly plan for working, family time, class time, clinical time, study time, and sleeping time.
Hi Lois:
I like your approach to cell phones and text messages and will be making posters this week!
John
Hi Andrea:
For the under-motivated students, the positive comments are a good tool that I have used. The know ot all students can get em a little exciteable at times, but I focus on not trying to "one-up" them.
John
In my experience, William, it is important to get blame shifters to accept responsibility. It is not an easy task.
You might offer the following to someone blaming everyone else: You are the boss in a small convenience store. You have an employee that is often late for work, and always has an excuse. Other employees have to work later than they are supposed to, or even worse, you the boss/owner have to cover for them. How would you (the student) resolve this situation? Many will reply - "you fire them" after repeated violations.
Ask the student if a calm, non-threatening manner, what you the instructor should do in their case?
John
Hi Dixie:
I did not think of a seating chart each class, but that might work in learning names with faces.
A sign in sheet before and after breaks can reduce some of your worries about early departures.
John
One of the more challenging types of students I have encountered are the "center of attention" students that will answer aloud every question I aks the class as a whole. I try to counter this by asking a specific student a question or two, and only asking for that student's opinion at first. If someone else chimes in, especially the "center of attention", I remind them that I asked the other student specifically for their answer, and I will open the floor to others for their input after that person has been given a chance to respond.
I ask different students for their input, answers or opinions throughtout a class meeting and throughut the course.
I create seating charts so I can readily learn names and faces, not to punish students or make them sit where they are not comfortable.
I have gone to the point of requiring students to keep their cell phones and pda's on silent mode so it does not ring in class, and keep them out ouf sight so they are not distracted by texting or being texted.
Hi Cindy,
Students do not have an option if you direct them to a particular seat. If the student does not follow your directive you should be able to suspend the student for violating the conduct code. At least, this is the policy at my institution. Students are to do as they are told by the instructor. You should have a conduct policy at your institution.
Patricia
I gave students 3 tests in one day-two regular tests (25 questions each)and a final (50 questions). ALL of the students performed better than they had the whole term! Even the ones who were failing! I told them "Is this what it takes to motivate you to study and get good grades?" I am even thinking of trying it again in the next term- but maybe with just two quizzes and a test.
