Special Needs Students Monopolizing the class time.
We have several "needy" students in our classes. Any input on how to curtail the constant "neediness"?
Have more group activities.
should probably have a discussion with those of need and see if tutoring could be of benefit
or office time...
Hi Margie!
I like to suggest that instructors should always reenforce positives rather than playing into the negative. This type of student is looking for attention no matter what kind.
I make sure that I take the time to build a good working relationship with these students. Once we find out more about them, we can more easily manage their classroom behaviors.
I make a concerted effort to call on these students before they have the opportunity to monopolize the class. This way they become really connected.
But - sometimes nothing works and that's when I ask the student to go to speak with someone in student services. As instructors, we can't allow a few to disrupt the masses.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I like to give a lot of handouts so that the students who are not as quick get up to speed.
Group activities are good, especially if you(the instructor)can form the groups so there is a good distribution of learning styles within the group. I have found that students learn more if they can teach others and that the other students are sometimes more receptive to their peers input/study advice.
Hi Penelope!
Try the buddy system. When well thought out and placing the right students together, it can be very helpful to all concerned.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
There are a lot of "needy" students I have found that actually need a friend or a study buddy rather than real needs. Some people come to school and really want to take up class time "connecting" with an instructor since that instructor has to be there to answer questions for them. The key to this is to remember to keep all conversations very professional and not to allow them to wander very far off topic or you will find yourself losing a lot of time due to simple chattiness.
If they really are that needy to learn the material or perform what work is expected of them there is always tutoring.
If you spend too much time on them with class, they become used to it. Each time reinforces the next and they can get to a point where they ask for help at the slightest confusion rather than trying to figure it out on their own.
Reinforcing the positive can help get out of this rut.
Hi Chris!
Special needs students will continue to be a challenge for instructors/facilitators because most of us are not trained to handle their needs. As I stated, the ideal situation is that the school has special advisors for these students so that all their learning needs are addressed. It's much easier if an instructor has an IEP for challenged students than trying to figure it out along the way. BUT - we don't work in an ideal world - so we continue to meet needs the best ways possible.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I'm considering summarizing topics and cementing learning with quizzes, group discussion or in other ways to offer students with various learning styles a chance to "get" the material as we go. Since our classes are at least 3 hours long with 10-minute breaks every hour, I'm hoping this will both satisfy the needs of both overwhelmed students and also let me spot those with true disabilities before their grades suffer.This may also allow students to know there will be a designated time to hash out information they aren't comprehending and maybe keep things on course during the main part of class.
How very true! At our school we have been seeing a larger number of students with accomidation plans coupled with other learning disabilites as well. There are those that take advantage of their situation much to the grumbling of the other students. Given privacy laws the other students "see" someone getting "special attention". There are times as staff, we feel we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. When critiques are given at the end of the class, those that didn't receive the same amount of time express their displeasure.
