On the first day of class I go over all the rules and regulations and what is expected of each student , not only in the classroom but on the entire campus. With that being said, I put the owness on the student by letting them know that if they learn good proffesional behavior now it will carry on to every life aspect.
Nicole:
Thank you for your input.
I agree with everything you said, and I follow the same protocol. There are times in my experience (not often) with disruptive students, the student is not going to listen to me after class, The student is more interested in arguing and transferring the blame elsewhere, or being disrepectful and I have to send them to the administration for guidence.
There are always new disciplines situations that arise. Sometimes I'm correct with my decision and sometimes I do not make the right decision, but I learn from it an adjust my response to to fit the situation the next time it happens. I tell my students, "students make rules not teachers." Example, students using their phones for text messaging during class, in previous classes it was not a rule, but because certain students tried it in class it became a mainstay of the list of rules of proper behavior (participation) in the classroom.
Marsha, my first step would be to implement a day 1 conversation about the consequences for violating classroom rules. I would include a discussion with students about their expectations of the consequences for violating the rules and would include the possibility to losing access to the classroom for a class period with no option to make-up any missing work. Next I would implement my plan and would request students leave the classroom if they are in violation of the rules. Over time students will follow the rules or fail out of your classroom. This of course would need the full support of your administration.
James Jackson
I totally agree with you. Every student has their individual problems and if you as an instructor that can see through that behavior when a student is acting out this is a gift. I think if you build good rapport with your students they may act out but will realize that you as an instructor are there to make sure that they get the education and knowledge that they paid for and everyone in that classroom.
I've had problems with students playing on their cell phone and/or listening to music with their earbuds during class discussions. I reminded the students of the class policy established on the first day of class, which is that cell phones are not allowed to be used in the classroom. Several of the students put their phones away, until I began the discussion again. I finally asked them to leave the classroom if they wanted to use their phones. No one left, but it did take up a lot of class time.
Lamarr, well stated. Acting in the moment rarely yields positive results. Just as a lesson plan is implemented with purpose and intent so to is classroom management and discipline when it becomes necessary.
James Jackson
I have found that adult students love to talk during class. When I first started teaching, I found myself repeatedly telling students to pay attention to the material. I found when I inform those talking that I am not going to repeat myself, and that the material is on the exam, they stop immediately. This past module I have had a problem with one student who repeatedly interrupts me, due to not paying attention, and wanting me to repeat myself. I inform the student every time to stop interrupting and I move onward with the lecture.
Always have a plan for the unforeseen situations. What I do is have 15 to 30 minutes classroom work assignments that are available for each subject I have in class. These are my fillers. If I have to call for a break to address some improper behavior. I have these research assignments available for the students to do on there own while I address the situation in another area of the building.
When first starting as an instructor, I had my problems with addressing students in the classroom and becoming confrontational unintentionally. After gaining years of experience I find setting a time after class to discuss the problems gains the best respect and trust from adult learners. They feel like you are making time to address any issues respectfully. I always pause then react with classroom discipline.
Richard, do you find this routine makes it easier for students to tune you out or do you feel the consistency helps to keep students motivated since they come to know what to expect and when? Thanks for any information you can share.
James Jackson
If i start a scheduled class at the same time each day then i always take breaks at the same time each day as well.
Justian, as the saying goes, you must first give respect to gain respect. This is very true with students and we as instructors also need to be mindful of the generational factor as each generation has a different twist on what respect implies and requires. I have always enjoyed the students that tend to "buck" the system as I have found them to be some of the more interesting of my students. I have found that taking some time to get to know them better can build a strong bond that can then be used with other students. The key here is to not take anything personally and put your own goals and needs on the back seat and focus more on the goals and needs of that student. Easier to day then to do but if you are able to move this forward the rewards can be incredible.
James Jackson
Carol, excellent comment. Leaving students totally alone and with no supervision is not a good practice. Regardless of their age they are still students and need supervision and structure. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
I personally feel that showing that you have respect and explaining what the expectations are for your students up front, usually stops problems from occuring in the first place. Of course you always that one student that wants to buck the system, but even those can be tamed by simply seating down and having one on one conversation explainining the importance of compliance.
I teach mostly project based classes, so students may not all be working on exactly the same things at the same time. I find that if they get chatty, and distracted, walking around the room, asking each one what they are working on, or if they need help, usually gets them back on track. Plus they don't always want the instructor to overhear what they are talking about or see them texting on their phones. You have to stay engaged in their progress so that they will.
Everything needs to start on day one with standard operating procedure on what is expected from your students
I actually do the same thing if some students are disrupting the class I will stop lecturing and wait till they stop chatting if that doesn't work I will look at the students sitting next to them and tell them that I feel sorry for them cause the disrupting students are wasting their valuable class time. They in turn will tell them to shut up they are wasting their time!
I have had one situation where the student was disrepectful. I immediatly asked her to leave the class room, she did. We had many conversations after that, however; no further problems occured in the class room. It is nice to hear confirmation that my gut was correct.
The class I have now is a very enthusiastic large group. I always start class on time with lecture, then create a problem for them to solve, writing it on the board. then break the class into small groups to discuss and solve the problem. This allows them to get up, move around the room, talk to their class mates and stay on task. When they are finished the activity I usually pick the best answer or decide as a whole class.
