Keeping the Control
I find it a difficult balance between maintaining control of my class and wanting to maintain control of my class. Let me clarify. On the days that I get frustrated with my loud mouthed student and I am on a constant lookout to steal back the conversation I get really frustrated and it changes the whole feel to my class. On the other hand, when I listen and engage with the loud mouth student I find it much more organic for me to sway the conversation and pass it off to another student or use it to ask the whole class their thoughts on the matter. I find that this technique keeps me feeling in control instead of striving for control and I stay more calm and I find my teaching becomes more meaningful because I am learning about the issues that matter to my students.
Hi Tammy,
Making the loud student work is certainly a way to maintain control with the student. This type of student needs as little idle time as possible.
Patricia Scales
I also try to give the loud mouth student a job so that they have less time to be disruptive
as a new instructor, I have found this to be very true. I have several students who act out. The first time I spoke to them privately. The second time I asked them politely in class. The third time I made an example out of them by allowing other students to comment on how they are interrupting the class. I have not had an issue since then.
P OBRien
Hi Rebecca,
It is all in my presentation. I make a very firm stance on Day 1 and everyday. My students know that I do not tolerate foolishness because I tel them. I will remove the loud-mouth student from my room. I do not let students disrupt/control my classes.
Patricia Scales
Thank you, Patricia. I am curious to know how you do not put up with loud mouth students and how you let your class know you are the one always in control.
Hi Benjamin,
Sometimes you simply have to take back control and put students in their place. Students will control you, if you don't control them.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rebecca,
If this works for you continue this approach. I do not put up with loud mouth students. The students know that I am the one always in control.
Patricia Scales
This makes a lot of sense. We will always have a lot of different types of students in class; talkative, shy, skilled, intellectual, etc. By channeling the talkative ones into creating discussions and energy for the others it seems a great way to incorporate the different types of students to work as a whole.
Question: What if there are several "talkative" students and they end up talking with each other instead of the instructor? What are some effective ways to take back control without "trying" to take back control?
