@ellythomas :i have seen and delt with "adults" who just don't seem to get it. They have paid to be there, and so have other students. It seems like there is more drama and less respect in some, not all, of the technical colleges. As i shadowed and observed this instructor, she clearly did not want to deal with the problem students. It all depends on the college. Rules, regulations and consequences do need to be clearly stated before admission and on the first day.
@andyimm : @andyimm : Thank you! I love that. Focus on a positive!!!!! Everybody wants to be a winner, not a loser. So, if we only celebrate the good work, the misbehaving ones will want to be praised too.
Hi Elly, i guess it is a more of a challenge when you are substituting, because you don't know the students. If one or two students would continually be disruptive during the class I would face them and ask them if there was a problem that I'm maybe not aware of. And if their answer would be "no", I would ask them to quiet down as we are all here to learn. I would not tolerate them continue being disruptive "for fun."
I don't really like to send students out of the class, because I feel they're missing more information. I would only do so if I would feel threatened. But then I would call security. So I usuallly ask them to be quiet and pay attention to the lecturing. I think sometimes students behave this way just to place the attention on them. But make sure to take up their names and write a note to their instructor about their behavior.
@ellythomas : Sometimes I have had the same issues. I can usually just stop the lecture and the disruptive students will stop.Or move over to the area and then stop the lecture. When the students hear me stop lecturing they know and I remind them it's there time away from lab. When I have too stop lecturing. And lab work must be completed to continue. This usually works then If needed I give a down grade for unprofesional behavior to 7,now this has there attention. I then work a deal into this that I can remove some if they can behave for the remainder of course and if not, the grade stays. I have yet had to leave them at 7.
@ellythomas : I have had this same situation happen to me. I was fairly new instructor at the time and it didn't take much to intimidate me. In the past 3 years of teaching, I have become much more comfortable in the intructor's role. When students are talking out of turn , I will make a general announcement that everyone needs to quiet down and pay attention. If the talking continues, I will stand by that person and look at him/her. That usually will draw the person's attention to what they are doing and they quit talking. I have also asked that person during break to stop talking. This usually stops the behavior.
@ellythomas : Separate the trouble makers and speak to them about their behavior at break
@ellythomas : It is very difficult to deal with adults who are distracting other adults. I know I've often wished that the students who are bothered by distractions would address it with the distractors. Being addressed by peers is much more embarrassing and more likely to have students eliminate their own distractions. It is an on-going battle. If you can get a large majority of the class on 'your side' as they say and focused, then the distractors usually only end up hurting themselves. I struggle between having them sit together in order to not disrupt other students who are there to learn and separating them. While that is very junior high school, I guess it sometimes works. It's difficult because you are dealing with adults. I have also found that adults who are distractive and talkative and disruptive do not see this behavior as a problem but often as a just that you and they have a difference of option, etc. That makes life even more interesting in many ways.
@ellythomas : It would depend on the personalities involved. I would consider two of the following approaches; (1) Ask the students to leave the class room until they are ready to participate in a manner that is conducive to learning for all; (2) I would just stop teaching, look at the group, tell them that I will wait but that the class will still be responsible for all materials that I intended to cover. Hopefully, the rest of the class would encourage them to behave appropriately; at least by "shhh"s. The silence in the room except for the chatter from the disruptives often will work wonders.
Disruptive students are often difficult to deal with, especially when there is a group of them.
you can also go the students and can direct the question related to the topic to them.
@ellythomas :
My suggestion is to go to the area where the students are being disruptive and ask them the share their conversation if it pertains to the topic being discussed in class. If it does not pertain to the subject, I would reiniterate the importance of the students respecting other students who want to learn the topic being discussed.
I would first of all, use proximity to be subtle in my discipline. Then I would adress them 1 on 1. Then I would ask them in front of class to refrain from talking or I will make seating changes. Then I will stop teaching and wait for them to stop interrupting. I would document and eventually may need a conference with a 3rd party.
@ellythomas :I would talk to the three students about their behavior. Distracting learning is against academic policy which is should be documented in the Student's handbook. It is important to manage the learning environment by addressing this behavior. Thanks,
@ellythomas : I resently had a similar porblem with my class, I took a chance and called on the person by name, then ask a closed questions based on the informtion I had just covered. The students silence was noted by the class. She appologized for her side conversation, and we moved on. It seemed to work as the entire class was engaged during the remaining time.
@ellythomas :
A keyword in your post is that you were "substituting" in a class. Students, who may be less self-regulated than most, may feel having a "substitute teacher" in their classroom opens a new door of opportunity for unbounded behavior. In the context of a substitute teacher, students may engage the idea there are no defined boundaries or guidelines; or for that matter consequences, so they feel empowered to "seize the day." If possible, I would consult the regular teacher on the classroom management guidelines she has in place and make the class immediately aware that I am supporting those same guidelines during the substitution period. I have found it useful to set, and/or modify the "state of the classroom" to a frame of positive reference and introduce myself, explaining my role, what I do in the school context, and assuring them, I am glad to serve as a support and guide during the teaching period. Education literature suggests the most effective way to manage a classroom is to serve as a "guide" for students and engage them in the best way they learn. In the short term, as would be the case with a substitute teacher, the opportunities are more limited. However, moving around the classroom, addressing students by name and making ourselves part of the environment often encourages them; especially those who may be disruptive because they are generally unprepared, and disengaged. Their poor behavior may be their method of accommodation. If so, developing a relationship, even short term, may be a key to success. Dr. Douglas Stewart
@ellythomas : Good morning. Unfortunately, distractions come with managing a classroomJ. Dealing with disruptive behavior is a part of the job. Many times in my experience, I too have asked the students firmly but fairly if they would like to share what they are talking about with the rest of the class. I would take that opportunity to gently remind the class that I am in fact the one who has the floor and would appreciate some professionalism and respect from the entire class. I sometimes stop talking, look at the students involved in the distraction, when they notice I am no longer instructing the class, I say.. “let me know when it’s okay for me to continue my lecture or demo” Normally, the students just ahead of themselves and will respectfully apologize and we can continue without incident. If for any reason the situation does not improve, I would give them the opportunity to leave. Many times that would put an end to the joking. If you feel the need to ask the student to leave you can ask them not to return until they have spoken to their program director, then follow up with the PD and instructor you are substituting for. If they refuse to leave, you can ask the class to take a break and ask the student to stay and talk with you. If all else fails you can ask them to be escorted out of the building by the facilities manager. I hope this helps. In health and happiness, Lisa
@ellythomas :I usually contact the "disruptive" members individually by email and just make some "quiet" suggestions. If the issues continue, I ask the student to call me and then chat privately on the phone. This usually works with no problem.
@ellythomas :For those who are talking and not paying attention, I tell them either have the conversation during break and if it's that important to step out.
Also, just stare at them and don't talk. The others will tell the jokesters to be quiet. :)
Greetings,
I’d try to shift the focus of the class away from the jokesters by first stopping everything and pointing out correct behaviors. Give appreciation to those students that are taking notes and hold up their papers for all to see. Focus on the positives. Reward those that are paying attention. And try to setup a community of healthy choices that are easier to promote than the distracting ones.
Hopefully this helps.
Thanks!
Andrew Joseph Imm
Mathematics, General Education
American InterContinental University
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
500 Embassy Row
Atlanta, GA 30328
404.965.6423
aimm@aiuniv.edu
I agree with pulling the student aside and confronting one on one.
