a disruptive student
To deal with a disruptiive student you need to deal with them indiviually and attack the issue head on
I have a situation with students coming into the lab setting complaining and gossiping. Yesterday several of the students came into my office to complain about the complainers disrupting the study group. They did not want to call names but asked me if I would address the issue with the class, if they come to the study group come prepared to study, otherwise please keep the complaining out of the classroom.
Student's needs to be listened to and addressed. This helped initally but the disruptive behavior continued. Many times the student would embarass themself by speaking too soon or at the inappropiate time. The student was addressed one on one. Still a work in progress but if instructor showed patience and understanding the rest of the class seems to ignore the situtation better.
Usually a disruptive student, at least in my experience, is either not a good communicator overall, and thus blurts out frustration that is disproportionate to the situation at hand, instead of requesting time to discuss the points of frustration directly; is sometimes not good at taking personal responsibility for poor performance or missed deadlines, etc.; needs more attention one-on-one, where they can air their concerns and frustration over subject material or class policies and receive encouragement and suggestions that can help diffuse the level of frustration.
I've found that it helps to keep a threat handy that affects the one thing most students actually care about: their grade. From day one, students know that if their behavior keeps any member of the class from learning the material I am teaching, then they will be dismissed for the day. Moreover, they will be unable to make up the pop quiz that I give the moment they're gone. This also helps encourage the rest of the class to help. I've found students respond better to someone asking for the opportunity to listen than they do to an official chastisement from the teacher.
Hi Claire,
It sounds like you have been very patient with the class clown. Go to your DOE and have the student removed from the class with your administration backing. This student needs to be handled quickly and swiftly.
Patricia
One of my challenges is the "class clown" who isn't prepared, and then tries to disrupt the class by making jokes, making fun of other students, and trying to control the class. I've tried talking to these students out of class, ignoring their inappropriate comments so they don't get any attention for misbehaving, and even pointing out that their comment is not related to what we're discussing. But I feel I don't do this very well, and would welcome any suggestions or comments on how to deal with this kind of student.
Explain why and how disruping a class can be against the whole purpose of being in class
Everyone is entitled to a bad day. However if the behavior seems to be continuing it definetly needs to be addressed.
Hi Francine,
Absolutely! It needs to be dealt with quickly and swiftly. The other students do not deserve this type of action from another student.
Patricia
Hi Kelvin,
I hear you. I do not like telling students this type of information in front of the class, but sometimes you have no choice. I like telling the class that we are going to take and early break, and I say Johnny I need to speak with you please...the class get the drift.
Patricia
I would agree with this. I usually give the student some eye contact and see if he or she was just not realizing that they were in a professional atmosphere. After that I tell face to face sometimes in front of the rest of the class that this is not tolerated (this helps reduce future outbreaks). If it is not resolved or student is still disruptive they are removed from the class for the day.
