How to deal with challenging students.
I deal with each challenging student in a different way because no two students are exactly the same. If they are the angry student, I usually pull them off to the side to get to the root of their anger and if it is out of my ability to help them, I send them to our school counselors to get them the help they need. Alot of times they just need to vent their frustrations and they become a totally different person in class because you took the time to listen to them. If they are inattentive or talking in the back, I call on them and ask questions to keep them engaged because they never know when a question could possibly come their way. I find the silent students to be the most difficult to deal with because their silence makes it hard to see if the information you are giving "sinks in" or not. I have found that after I have finished a lecture, I hand out what I call "The One Minute Survey". I have every student fill out a very short survey that asks them what they understood well and what part of said lecture they did not quite get. It is an anonymous survey so no names are necessary. From that survey I can get some input from the "quiet" students as they don't have that feeling of having "all eyes on them" if they were to raise their hand during class that they may find intimidating.
Hi Jon:
I like the concept of a 1 minute survey and will use it starting tomorrow! Anonymous is even better!
John
Hi Tammie,
The one minute survey is a very effective tool, and it does not take too much time.
Patricia
Asking questions is very important but more than that, giving the students time to think of what they want to ask before moving on only after a brief pause is the key to getting students involved. The "uncomfortable silence" will usually spark someone to ask a question.
I like the One Minute Survey idea. This will help them realize what they are not getting. This will come in particularly useful in one of my classes this quarter.
Hello Kenneth,
Actually I've known instructors to administer one-minute quizzes; do it! Students always put forth great effort if a quiz or test will be involved. No, I feel quizzes and tests are always beneficial to students.
Patricia
What do you think about changing the dynamic to a "one minute quiz?" Now you are dealing with feedback that isn't anonymous. Do you think students would make more of an effort to "listen" knowing that a quiz was coming? Does the additional grading overpower the benefit? Just a thought.
Hi Joshua,
I think a few of us will be using the "One Minute Survey."
Patricia
Hi Brandon,
It is always good to have QUICK EFFECTIVE methods.
Patricia
This sounds like a good idea. I am going to try it. it does not take alot of time either. Thanks
That "One Minute Survey" is great! Mind if I use it?
Hi Barbara,
It sounds like a great idea, and it is not time consuming at all.
Patricia
Hi Jon,
I like your idea of the one-minute survey. I often struggle with knowing if my students understood the lesson. I am going to try this technique.
Hi Jon,
What a great tactic to use to help reach the silent student. I like the idea of the "One Minute Anonymous Survey." I am sure this tactic has proven to be very effective.
