I have found the center stage students are the hardest for me to handle because I like to let people tell their opinions as I feel that an instructor shouldn't have to give a lot of lecture but the students can lead where they want the discussion to go. I have found that they usually start slipping off topic when given this opportunity so my strategy is to bring them back to the topic by asking another question after politely interrupting and allowing others to answer the secondary question.
I often will ask students to take a personal survey at the beginning of class patterned after a learning styles assessment. This provides me information about my students to refer to their preferences in learning and working in/out of class, gives students the knowledge that I care and want to know them and design my class interactions and activities to fit them and allows me to create a menu of assessments they can choose from to show their learning. Everyone likes choices. In doing this, I often avoid many, not all, but many challenging students behaviors.
My most challenging students would have to be the ones that don't show up for class! It is difficult to encourage or give one on one time to someone that simply never shows up. When they do show up I end up spending all my time trying to catch them up on what they missed.
I had a hard time dealing with a bunch of students who seemed to band together to make complaints about everything I did, from the way I answered their questions, to how I graded their exams. These students were so very much like the "Mean Girls" in high school, they played mind games, saying one thing to me, and something else to my administrators. They even had problems with my PD! It was very difficult to deal with.
Hi Tate,
I fully understand! Students with poor attendance can certainly be a challenge. At my institution, we have an attendance policy, and once they go over the attendance limit they are withdrawn from the course. Life happens, but students need to be in class to get the full effect.
Patricia Scales
The very first class I taught had one student that was inattentive. While the majority of people were busily taking notes on information I had specifically stated they would need for their licensing exam, she was unconcerned with the information and actively texting someone on her phone. As this continued, I was a bit dumbfounded by her behavior and caught off guard too. I was staring at her while I continued presenting, and eventually she looked up and asked "What?" I know I initially flushed red, as I had not meant to make a scene of things...... But I took a breathe and told her honestly "I realize I have always loved taking classes. I have always done my best to get everything I can out of my instructors. I am sorry to stare, but I was simply astonished that anyone could sit in a rather expensive class and not take notes. Can I get you a pen? or do you need paper?" :) Luckily it was a small group and everyone laughed. What I was lacking in experience (teaching) I made up for in sincerity and honest communication. Kathy
Are the ones who say they cant do it or give up easy.
I have learned that these students lack of being told that they can do it all they have to do is try.
My strategie that has been most effective is having it to where I put the ball in there court.
I let them tell me what they would expect from me as there teacher and be serious about it. After that I would tell them what I expect from them as a student. Most of the time they hold up there end of the deal.
Hi Brian,
I like how you put the ball in their court. Normally, when you put the ball in the student's court, he/she will pick the ball up and begin to run with it. You begin to see positive results.
Patricia Scales
One of the most challenging issues is the student that is trying to squeeze school into family demands, a job, financial issues, and a whole assortment of "real life" issues. Many times it seems that they need someone to talk to and who understands the issues. Many times a referral to a counselor or peer mentor can help them through whatever "crisis" is present at the time.
One of the most challenging issues is the student that is trying to squeeze school into family demands, a job, financial issues, and a whole assortment of "real life" issues. Many times it seems that they need someone to talk to and who understands the issues. Many times a referral to a counselor or peer mentor can help them through whatever "crisis" is present at the time.
My most challenging are the ones who struggle at their clinical site. The clinical site called me with very specific incidences over a three week period. I drafted up a memo outlinging all these areas of concer, had a meeting with the student and our program director going through point by point. The recommendation was for me to follow up with student and clinical site on performance and outlined to the student a corrective action plan and will follow up in two weeks.
Hi Dayton,
Our students juggle a lot, and we do the best we can to help them manage it all. Sometimes they have challenges in life that are certainly beyond our scope, and this is when we have to refer them to the experts.
Patricia Scales
Usually it is the younger students that are a challenge because they are not ready for the adult world. I let my students ask questions during the lecture and if they still don't quite understand I let them know that I am available during breaks and after class to help them understand the concept.
I had two students who at the beginning of the course told me that "we don't get anywhere on time, so don't expect us to come to class on time." After hearing that, I simply read the attendance policy to them, and told them that I enforce the policies and procedures fairly and expect that all students adhere to them. I re-directed them back to their student catalog and syllabus. The second day they were both late. At the end of class, I called each one separately to a private area and presented them with a student advisement to help coach them by reinforcing the expectations. They were never again late to my class.
The most challenging students are those that walk in with an attitude and think they can do and say what they want and walk all over you. You need to nip this in the butt and remind them that you are the instructor and that you are here for them to learn and that you will help them in any manner as long as they respect you
In my 7 years teaching as an adjunct instructor, I have had many students who view me as an outsider as opposed to a full-time faculty member. While this has been helpful on occassion in getting students to "open-up" about their thoughts, I have also found that this situation consistently creates my most challenging students who take every opportunity to criticize the school and other faculty. In the latter cases, I draw a 'line in the sand' and inform the student that verbally bashing other teachers in my class is unacceptable; however, in the former, I allow the student to vent their concern about the school or its currciulum, and then I provide real-life examples of how the courses they are taking now will help them excel in their future careers. This approach generally not only diffuses the complaint, but causes the student to re-evaluate their complaint.
Hi Brian,
Great way to handle this, and I love how you provide real-life examples to help students better understand.
Patricia Scales
The first thing I like to try with a difficult student is to acknowledge outloud that we all have good days and bad days where we are on task. Then I explain that I appreciate the extra effort to be responsible and respectful to turn a bad day into a good one. I describe what a good day looks like in the classroom and that the other students are expecting everyone that extra effort for everyone's benefit. Then I will describe what is the next step if it becomes my problem that I have to solve.
I let the students know we are here to help them with problems they may be having in class. I also let them know if outside influences are affecting class that we can help them figure out a solution to that.
My most challenging students as a new instructor were those that continued to challenge me because I was a new theory instructor and my professional experience. The statement was made that "those who can - work, those who can't - teach". Strategies: I reiterated by professional experience, over 30 yeatrs in nursing as LVN and RN/BSN and my various areas of concentration.
After the first day, I became even more prepared - read the syllabus, answered questions given to them -- became the student and instructor. Made a list of what I needed to go over. I prepared thoroughly. I was also honest with them. If I didn't know the answer, I said so.
