What to do with problem student's
There seems to always be a student that thinks she can do whatever she wants, and has no respect for authority no matter what approach you take. She's been written up and suspended numerous times and that doesnt seem to deter her. Mind you, she is young. What would be some techniques to motivate her?
Ted,
Good question but a tough one to answer. I would talk with her individually and try to see what is her motivator. Learn why she is in school. See if you can get any "buy-in" from her. If not then it is probably best if she be removed from the class because she is impacting the learning of others in a negative way. Education is something we need to value and if it isn't being valued by her then I'm not sure how to help her be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Maybe pairing the problem student with one who proved success, maturity, and care to help others
One approach that I have used at times, was to try pairing up struggling students with someone in the class who was more comfortable with the material. In this way, I hope to not only find another means to motivate the student who is having difficulties, but also to provide an opportunity for the better student to increase their understanding of the subject matter through explaining the concepts to their classmate. I feel that one never understands a subject as well as when they have to explain that subject to someone else, and so, by pairing up students, I hope that they will both gain something from the relationship.
Peter,
Student teams like this work very well. Both parties benefit from such a combination.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Frederick,
I agree with your method of pairing and sharing. Sharing reinforces the content for both students, the one explaining and the one listening. The level of content retention increases through this type of interaction.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Be careful with "pairing students", as the problem student can become "dependent" and the more successful student can unwittingly become an "enabler".
Thanks for everyone's response, i'm sure these tips will come in handy.
Mabel,
A good caution to share. Thanks.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sometimes "problematic students" tend to be easier to manage as long as you speak their language,most of times they are open for hands-on instructions and as long as they are kept occupied and dont fall into boredom or routines they tend to maintain a longer attention span. I try to keep them in the edge at all times.
Some of them just need discipline. When my methods are exhausted, I just send them home. That is the least productive way to handle problem students. It's just that last option to get them to calm down.
If part of our mission as instructors is to prepare students for the "real world", then we do them a major disservice by not letting them know that bad decisions have bad consequences.
In the case you mentioned, it was effectively the student's decision to be sent home rather than yours.
Carlos,
Good strategy to use. This way you are keeping them moving forward in their learning and engaged in the development process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Nicholas,
I do the same. When they disrupt the learning of others they need to regain control of themselves or leave the classroom/lab. They are not entitled to ruin learning for others.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Nicholas,
I do the same. When they disrupt the learning of others they need to regain control of themselves or leave the classroom/lab. They are not entitled to ruin learning for others.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Saami,
Right they are. They are not "entitled" to ruin the learning of others. So going home is the best choice for them at that time. Hopefully they can come back and be successful in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
can you give any pointers or examples of how you keep them interested? I will be a new instructor soon and that's my biggest fear is not keeping them actively engaged!
Erica,
Be prepared, organized and enthusiastic to start with. Bring energy and excitement about what you are going to teach to the classroom. Have activities, case studies, learning problems available to share with the students after you have given them content. The more they can apply their newly acquired knowledge the more they will be engaged. Be flexible, read your students and then take your instruction the direction that is needed to keep them focused. Humor is a big part of teaching so make it a part of your delivery and interaction with your students. Have fun with it and make learning fun for them while still achieving the goals and objectives you have for the course and you will do fine.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Jeffrey,
Right you are and this is a strategy that instructors need to make a part of their instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
