I learned that students should be acknoledged at all levels to underscore their mental status and keep them engaged. When one has adult learners though, I am not certain that color coded cards are what is needed. They would probably throw them in the trash.
When dealing with unfocused students it is important to first look at how you are handling the situation. You may find that you have not made your course policies and requirements clear or that you have not been specific in what your expectations are for student performance. Also, include all of the students in discussions and activities. It is easy to let the center stage student take over so you need to make a concerted effort not to overlook the quieter students.
Harry Dumas
Fins it very interested on how to deal with these type of students
Keeping all students engaged and ideas to help bring them back...
Challenging students are worth the effort. Everyone deserves a viable and comfortable learning experience.
How to manage students better.
I learned some techniques on how to keep students engaged such as note cards and asking probing questions. Other techniques to keep them interested include inviting speakers and even offering virutal tours.
I actually sort of like the "observer" concept. It will make all student take notes because they don't know when they'll be called on.
Active learning strategies should be implemented. Get your students involved in making decisions and avoid immediately giving them your solutions. Ask questions leading them to think on their own and celebrate with them when their choices work out and hold them accountable when they make mistakes providing a constructive feedback.
I constantly deal with students who are on their phones, ipads and computers. this is one of the biggest challenges that I face. What helps me with this is giving them Rubric grading assignments, which are hands on assignments that basicly keep them more grounded in the class.
"All ambiguous behavior is interpreted as negative." I don't like this, but I can see how true it is! It's so hard to be ON all the time. It's disappointing that any little slip-up can have real negative impacts on student relations.
I find the methods given to reel in inattentive students invaluable and can't wait to implement them. I also love the one-minute report and will definitely begin using this tool immediately.
It is important to meet with a struggling student. It is important to handle not so focused students with tender loving care.
I have students at every end of this. Cell phones are a huge deal. It takes away from the lesson and work time. I always do a class remind then take them if necessary. I do have students who just wont participate no matter what gets done. I like to keep students near me, sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. I will take the lessons in this module and move forward.
From this module, I have learned about how to apply different strategies to manage the various personalities that I am likely to encounter in the classroom.
I like the use it wisely idea. I also like the idea of valuing my own expectations by talking to students who are not prepared for class.
I've learned to make sure the student has a clear understanding of the expectations of the class. Also to acknowledge the positive and much as the negative
Generally, in this area it sounds like adult learners do not differ much from middle school. I will simply employ the tactics in my toolbox already like circulating, moving closer to the disruptive students and employing whatever works with the center of attention grabbers.
The "Use-It-Wisely" tactic is brilliant! I'll be sure to incorporate it into my class in the days to come. For younger teachers, I recommend that you do not let age get the better hold of you. It is easy for students to want to see you as their peer rather than a figure of authority. In the event that student's begin to cross the line, I will pull them aside and talk to them personally. Never talk to a student in front of a class for this is likely to embarrass them.
Just as in “real life” there are employees who are “apple polishers,” and “center stagers.” And of course, there are employees that turn in assignments late, don’t adhere to deadlines as well as those employees that are inattentive. This training identifies what exists in the workplace only in different terms. These types of personalities and well-established and anticipated traits should be part of the class/course introduction. To that end, a continuous emphasis on these disruptive characteristics requires emphasis at scheduled and unscheduled intervals during the course. Although the approaches cited to curtailing these behaviors are well-established, it is also necessary to have a heart-to-heart with the class and individuals that certain behavior is blatantly disrespectful to other classmates just as the same behavior would be disrespectful to coworkers. What is paramount is that students need to be reminded that while there are many ways for an instructor to apply creativity in class management, the instructor also has just as many ways to apply accountability when behavior is disruptive to other students whose educational goals are being compromised by selfish behavior.
