Patricia Scales

Hi Edward, I have some of these students too. We play the rubberband game in my classes. Every student gets a rubber band the first day of the class that must be worn for the entire grading period. Every time a student says anything negative or whines, a students gets to pull their rubberband. This practice has cut the negativity, whining, complaining, etc. drastically. Patricia

Hi Dennis, I truly understand why you would want to apologize, but really and truly you don't have to. Students understand that we are human, and we don't know everything, and we do make mistakes. Most students are very forgiving when we as educators make mistakes. Patricia

Hello Kenny, As a seasoned instructor, never make it known to your students that you are new or it's your first time doing something. By stating these things you are giving your students gun power to fire at you. Students are not going to be any lenient on you, simply because you are inexperienced. Students wants you to be the guru in the particular subject area, and really that's all that matters. Patricia

Hi Kenny, As instructos, there are things that we can do to deter cheating, such as class setup, empty seat between students, demand to clear desks, monitor the room, etc. Patricia

Hello Nicole, The best way to avoid mistakes is to be well prepared. As an instructor, you should never go in the classroom to teach unprepared. Also, as a side note, you will notice that certain questions are always repetitive during a grading period on the same concept. I've been teaching for 21 years, and I can dictate what questions are going to occur and at what point in the lesson those questions will occur. Patricia

Hi Nicole, Handle your students. Do not allow your students to control you. You must control your students. Simply, warn the talkers privately, professionally, yet firmly. If the talking continues, simply REMOVE them from the classroom. I am sure administration will back you. The serious students will appreciate you eliminating the problem so that they can better learn. Patricia

Hi Dennis, It is always a good practice to keep the more challenging students busier. Idle time is not good for challenging students. Also, I too am real big on student involvment as well as group activities. Anytime you can use active learning, do so. The students tend to be very attentive during active learning. Patricia

Hi Dennis, Great use of various teaching methodologies. I love using active learning in my classes. The students tend to really enjoy active learning. Patricia

Hello Kenny, Of course, you do not ever what to "Call them out" in class, but do speak privately. My favorite moto is, "A student does not care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Patricia

Hi Ron, As educators, sometimes we are wrong because we are only human. I have known people to doodle while lecture is taking place and do extremely well on assignments/tests. Sometimes the drawing, scribbling, doodling, etc. help the student to really concentrate when we as educators think they are in la-la land. Patricia