Sleeper
This is a great topic for the different student profiles. I found I had someone that tended to nap. I pulled them aside and asked about life, job etc., to determine what I needed to do to help. Fits all the profiles found here, younger, needs stimulation. The answers were, "i don't stay up late", "my job isn't a problem", I was puzzled. I have changed my tactic with the student to engage, call on them randomly, use them in a way I now know from this course is an "observer". The observer position works fabulously and I highly recommend it for these students. I will apply it with more confidence and effectiveness after gaining this information.
I am going to start doing this with my next morning class, most of my students are younger adults who choose to stay out late with friends at night and then want to sleep during class. Having a clear understanding of expectations on attentiveness will help clear this problem up.
I do not let any student sleep in my class. I see a sleeper I get their attention first and say lets stay focus. If they fall asleep again I get them up and have them walk for water and come back and tell them one more time, I will send you home.
This is all very helpful and being new to instructing I know I will have to be very aware of the level of attention and focus of my students to keep them interested!!
That is a very good tactic. I have had a sleeper or two and am challenged myself with confronting them because I recall having done this myself on occation as a student. However some sleepers have been to the point of disrupting the class and affecting others students learning. I like the idea of setting ground rules on day one so it does not become an issue later in the class. Thanks for the advice.
Hi David,
I also like taking a quick trip to the water fountain!!
Patricia Scales
i like the stand up and streching this is somthing i will try great way to keep everyone on track
I agree. The classroom is no place for sleeping. It clearly states to everyone that this class is not important to me. I feel that this is extremely disrespectful to the teacher. Stay home if you want to sleep and just get a 0 for the day. Inform the student that sleeping on your job would not be acceptable. Therefore, it is not accepted in the classrom.
I agree with you Melonie. We all have busy lives and many things going on outside of the classroom. I love for the class to be a refuge from the outside world. By having a fun and engaging topic where the students are asked to share and participate keeps everyone involved
and awake in the learning process.
Sometimes when an instructor does nothing but lecture and "over talks" a point it becomes to redudant for the people that understand the point the first time and people begin to wonder in their thoughts and get uninterested.
I too have students who work odd hours. We use a lot of "hands on" activities and it helps them stay awake for the entire class.
For the sleeper students, first of all I get their attention and suggest they take an absence and go home and sleep. They will not go, and this tends to get their attention. I will also change the classroom vibe by doing something different, like an in class assignment.
I agree with how you handle sleepers. If they are allowed to nap, the rest of the class is given the impression that you as the Instructor really don't care if student learns as long as you give the lecture you did your job. I ask them to please take a short walk, get some water, and than come back ready to stay awake.
I love this topic. :) I have so many scenarios and effective strategies I could talk about. :)
For example: My students are tuckered out at the end of a clinical day (me too). :) We all work hard. We sit and discuss the day. As soon as we sit--danger--high potential for drowsiness. :) Sometimes, we are all animated and have lots to discuss...sometimes, not as much. The key is keeping the students engaged until the end!
Some ideas that I have employed that are effective. Let them stand up and move around if they can't stay awake while sitting; Have a plan and make sure the students know what is "left on the agenda". Don't "over talk" a point. ;) (Keep it simple) Don't let my fatigue show (the students will naturally follow), I have learned with experience that Letting a student share a case review on their patient(with advanced notice)and having the other students assist to collaborate on critical thinking opportunities/nursing process. This engages them and builds their confidence in themselves and each other as they realize how much they have learned and are able to discuss problem finding, possible root causes, and participate/assist in making a plan. This process not only engages them and builds them up and encourages further learning, it also helps me evaluate their learning.....ALL the while assisting the student to forget for a few more minutes how tired they are. :p
We really can't let this happen because we are training these folks for success in the "real" world. If someone falls asleep on the job, chances are they will be fired.
Hi Emily,
I love how you make it plain to your students on Day 1. They chose their own schedule, therefore they should live up to it. I know you have to be very lively and up beat at 6:00 a.m. You really have to be geared up to get your students geared up that early in the morning.
Patricia Scales
Our school has class at 6am 8am 1pm and 6pm. My students attend our Sunrise class, which is at 6am. I explain to them on Day one, that I didn't pick this class time for them and I expect them to stay awake or I will ask them to leave. I also say that if the time doesn't work for them that I could help get them into another class time that may allow them to sleep in. My class is generally good in staying focus and awake.
Sleepers
I have students who work odd hours and fight it when sitting in air conditioned room, I have moved them to front of class and direct questions to them if I see or notice the nod. I have also stopped lecture and called for a stand up and stretch or move around 45 sec break.
Student services may need to be involved for sure. I discovered a student who was sleeping in class. Turns out after a referral to student services that is was related to a severe medical problem that required medication that made the student sleepy.
What should we do with a "sleeper". I have had co-workers get angry and reprimand the students. I feel like they are adults and if they are sleeping that sound, there must be something else going on. Maybe they need a refferal to student services, or just a more interactive day.
