In this module I learned strategies on how to deal with the difficult or challenging students. There are many different ways students can be challenging whether it is the un-attentive, the blame others, or drop out attitudes. I received great input on how to deal with these groups.
Strategies were a big standout point:
Create a class calendar
On the calendar give the due dates for all your assignments. Give the calendar out at the beginning of the class and highlight important dates such as the first assignment deadline and the first test given. This ensures that all of your students can see you have strict deadlines that you are going to enforce.
Penalties
As a part of your grading scheme, create a sequence of penalties for lateness. The more time that elapses, the more severe the point loss. Put this in your syllabus and cover it at the beginning of the course. You may also want to offer bonus points for handing in assignments early. This can be an incentive for those students who are in need of course points but can't seem to get things in on time- they can recoup lost points with this method.
Syllabus statement
Include a statement in your syllabus that recognizes the unforeseen events that might prevent students from meeting a deadline and that you want to be flexible when these situations occur. In addition to this statement, you should also make it clear that you require documentation to support the request for an extension. You will find that this requirement reduces attempts to defraud you with excuses.
Observe your students
You will quickly see which students are going to try and "work" you. Keep a good level of professional consistency in your treatment of students but employ your observational skills to help you sort out the real excuses from the false ones. By listing in your syllabus your method of handling extension requests, you have given the students an obligation to document their requests. If you suspect that you are being lied to, you can request whatever documentation you want and you will be within your right. You will find that after just one of these incidents these "professional excuse givers" will smarten up and start to work within the system or leave the class. Either way you will have taken major steps to solve the problem of "it's not my fault" excuses.
All the students should have the chance to speak, one way or another. Is imperative for the teacher to be sure that the students have their 5 minutes each one.
I need to include every student where they are and help them to engage in the assignment or conversation. Make them take stockholdership of the lecture so that they get the most out of it.
There are ways to deal with difficult students. Working in groups can help many types of students. The group is managing the issues without being offensive to the student. The student is being engaged and the energy from the group can help the student feel more secure in their learning.
Directing questions and asking for opinions from a variety of students can help tone down the spotlight student.
Keep your focus on all the students. Let the attentive students talk but keep a limitation, make them observer. Try to involve all students in the discussions.
Shah Rahman
I have had talkative, disruptive, and inattentive students. This sections was helpful in showing new ways to deal with these behaviors.
I have at least one of all of these students in one class or the other. I love the idea about the "use-it-wisely" cards. I definitely am going to try this strategy. I also have students that seem uninterested. I like the idea of rotating the students from the back of the class to the front of the class. I think this module has been extremely helpful!
keep everyone involved in the class and activities.
I had heard making your presents known before this and it works well, from cell phone use to a conversation while you're lecturing. just walking around the room and being in their space will change their behavior.
Use it wisely cards are a great way to keep the class focused and reduce center stage students from taking up the whole class and allowing others room to participate
Engaging all students as individuals takes attention and the instructor being present in each class, not simply delivery the material. Can make or break student learning.
Learning how to deal with all the different types of students we have and learning how to deal with the different situation in a positive way.
Realizing that you have to keep control is very important. The ideas are helpful in many ways.
It's important to get to know your students and what is relevant to them in order to possibly keep them engaged.
There will be these types of students in every class.
However, there are great ways to suggest improvements for inattentive students or ready to quit students.
Make sure all students feel included!
Make it so the students have the opportunity to interact and feel apart of the discussion.
Really enjoyed this lesson, I have a fresh outlook on how to teach my students and not get upset over this issues I can overcome now.
I love when students get calls in class. The first time I hear a ringtone or vibration, I sprint to the student and insist to talk to whoever is calling. This is all presented playfully, as a gag. "I wanna talk! I wanna talk!" They're usually so surprized that they'll either mute the phone or actually let me answer. When I do get to answer, I usually answer with "Atlanta Police Dept. Zone 6, this is Sarg. Whatever." Always gets a laugh and the phones are silent for the remainder of the term.
