mulitple bad attitudes
how do you deal with two or more students with bad attitudes? At that point they can become a major distraction to the class.
Hi Stephen,
There are a number of approaches that can be tried with students that are causing distrations in the class. My approach is to first talk with each one of these students one on one and try and determine what his/her issues are. I also, talk with them about expectations of behavior in a adult class setting. I talk about a trial period for them where they can display the appropriate behavior. If this doesn't work I relocate them, isolate them and other such physical strategies to reduce their distraction opportunities. The last resort is to remove them from the class. They do not have the right to impair the education of their fellow students. Enrollment in a career college classroom is voluntary so they need to perform at a certain level or they will be removed. In working through all of this make sure you keep good records of what you have done and inform your superiors in case any questions are asked or any legal issues surface.
Gary
Hello,
I too, have encountered many students with multiple bad attitudes. If you don't stop it immediately, it will spread like a brush fire. Depending on the extent to the ill of their behavior, I may pull them aside to determine the problem and the recourse. But if it needs to be addressed right then, I will not hesitate to correct them at that time. Many times students will follow in their peers footsteps. If you let one bad deed go, it sends the message that the behavior is tolerable.
Hi Sheronda,
All experienced instructors have had students that act like children and as a result have to be called down. You wouldn't think that you would have to do this with adults but sometimes you do.
You are right about not letting the problems spread. First and foremost you have to manage the classroom and if you don't you will lose control and then problems will have just started.
Good comments about this situation.
Gary
Hello,
I've worked with students at the vocational level. The age ranging from teenage to adult. There are many different ways to approach the bad attitudes. Some individuals can be helped, and there are others who require more professonal attention. Then there are the cases where it become necessary to have a student/s removed permanently from the classroom, if this behavior become a continuous problem. We as educators want to help all students, the question is where do you draw the line? I have found that the majority of students entering the classroom are there for the purpose of learning. You cannot draw your attention away from them, and the positive side of learning, to accommodate one or two bad apples.
Hi Irene,
That is always a hard call isn't it, when you have to remove a student from your class? The key point is that you know as a professional educator you have done all that you can to try and help that student succeed. If you have then the responsibility for failure rests with the student and his/her poor choices. The good news is that there are few of these students that come through our schools. Think how high our success rate is and that will motivate you to keeping working to improve your teaching skills.
Gary
I have simply requested a private audience with a student having a bad attitude. I try to understand what the problem is and attempt to remedy it if possible. Sometimes it is a misunderstanding, or the student has a hard time expressing himself in front of the class. I understand the I will not be able to understand every situation, but I know that I have made an attempt.
Hi May,
Good approach to a student problem. Even if the problem is not easily resolved you will have presented the student with a professional attitude and respect. You will find that this will help most situations as both parties are looking for understanding.
Gary
I teach my instructors to reward those students that attend class on time, participate and have good attitudes. This takes the attention away from those who have bad attitudes and constantly interrupt the class.
Hi Louise,
Good plan. Has this worked well for you and your faculty?
Gary
This is a particularly interesting topic to me, as in my misspent youth, prior to finding out I was supposed to be a teacher, I worked in a correctional facility as ... forgive me if this is not "pc", but... a behavior modification specialist... or more familiarly "attitude adjuster".
The sad fact is that humans in a group tend toward "herd" or "pack" instincts. When you have a particularly strong leader or "inner circle" with distinctly negative attitudes, this WILL affect even the most firmly entrenched positive nature. Including your own.
In the nature of "troubleshooting" this problem, the first, and most important, concept is to seperate the pack. Work on a one to one basis. I have watched the "group counseling" approach not work much more often than it has worked. Primarily because a STRONG individual bond with each participant must be there first. The group dynamic will cause a "closed loop short circuit".
In the individual "counseling" or "advisement" session, the specific behavior that is problematic MUST be addressed. Not broad generalities. There must be no room for miscommunication on either behalf.
Say what you will do and do what you said. Know what the policies of your institution are. Don't let your mouth write checks you will not be allowed to or are not willing to cash.
Never approach the problem in anger or lashing out in frustration. This will only serve to refocus and escalate the problem.
Be sure to focus on the BEHAVIOR, not the PERSON, in your commentary. And make sure they are aware that it is the BEHAVIOR that is unacceptable while you do still value them and want them to be able to continue. But that the behavior must stop for this to work.
And finally... drop it. Do NOT revisit old grievances. IF the behavior persists, address the recurrence. Cite what you warned would happen and DO what you warned you would. But, do NOT run a litany of past offenses.
Addendum: In proofing, I noted that I wrote as the retired correctional officer I am. Many may view this as incompatible with teaching in a classroom. I will only mention that a review of most research into managerial method, whether in business or the classroom, will find the roots in the correctional system.
Hope this might have helped someone. Peace be with you and yours.
Hi Kevin,
I am glad that you found your vocation, that being teaching. It is always great to hear about those that are enjoying a career path that rewards them.
Thank you for your comments. The cover a number of points concerning group dynamics and student rapport. Individual rapport is critical to the success of both the student and the entire class.
Each student must see a place for themselves within the learning setting. You have covered several of those methods whereby a teacher can reach students and enjoy success.
Happy Teaching.
Gary
I have found that dealing with it immediatly works best-I will have a 1 on 1 discussion with the student to let them know that thier actions are not acceptable and if it continues there will be repercussions. I then hold them to that. If you back down you send a negative message.
Hi Mark,
Good classroom management requires that you deal with situations for the common good of the collective group of students. By targeting the problem right at the beginning you will avoid having the situation grow even bigger. Thanks for sharing.
Gary
I have found that they key to putting an abrupt stop to this behavior is to address it immediately by taking the student aside and discussing his/her options one on one. Breaking them away from the rest of the class usually completely changes their attitude since disruptive students tend to feed off the attention they get from the rest of the group. I ask the studnet why he is behaving as he has and the usualy response is "I don't know". Then present them with the reality of their situation - they are graded on professionalism at our facility, and this behavior has and will affect their grade; the other students have every right to learn in the classroom and if they continue to be a disruption they will be removed from the class.
To be honest, that only works about half the time. Many students will calm down for awhile and then return to their previous bad attitude and disruptive behavior. Immediately and publicly send that student home for the rest of the day! That student will usually come in the next day with some improvement in attitude, and more importantly, the rest of the class will see that you are 100% serious about maintaining control of your class and maintaining an environment that is conducive to learning. Any would-be followers will quickly see that your class is not the place to exhibit their bad attitude or disruptive behavior.
Hi Todd,
Class management is critical. If you don't take control the students will and that is not going to work for anyone. Sometimes it is hard to do, but control must be maintained. Thanks for your input on this very important instructional area.
Gary
I fully agree with you, that if you set the tone from the first day and the students know what is expected of them and certain behavior will not be tolerated,they will rise to the occasion. And if you make make a statement you need to follow through.
I am currently dealing with that in a class. I am employing our school's code of conduct heavily. One student then become the 'pied piper' of sorts to the other one. I am primarily focusing my efforts on the ring leader, working to take away his audience with redirection and one-on-one conversations. I know that if he does not have an audience, he tends to be quiet and less disruptive.
Carla,
Good strategy. You a following a clear step by step plan for handling this student behavior situation.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
