I agree that unprepared students create a challenge for student success. I have found that requiring students to complete the assigned reading prior to class is ineffective. After re-evaluating the situation, I learned that many students have difficulty understanding the required reading material.
I started providing "prep questions" for each assigned reading. Initially, the students stated that they did not like having more homework. However, the students learned that the prep questions helped them improve their understanding of the assigned readings. Now, the students appreciate the prep questions and they come to class better prepared. In addition, I have pop quizzes and I use the exact same prep questions in the quiz. The pop quizzes was another incentive for the students to be prepared for class and earn points.
Thank you for this section of the module. I could identify students for almost each type of student and now I have a better approach on how to handle each type.
I believe that my most challenging students are those that are the excuse makers! They have an excuse for everything- late assignments, missed assignments, "off" days, coming to class late, etc. As much as I want to empathize with them, I have to remind them of class requirements and guidelines.
Hi Stacey,
I fully understand. You should also have rules in place and enforce them so that your students know that this type of behavior is totally unacceptable.
Patricia Scales
Agreed. I am one who gives the student the benefit of the doubt, but with a penalty. That way I can assure that I am not being taken advantage of, without being too rigid and strict.
I had a student that NEVER completed his homework. He was very smart, but had never learned how to study or turn in work timely.
I spoke with him many times about this, he was aware and actually told me about his issues..including how his father thought he would never amount to anything. Having that in the back of his mind, he subconciously was going to make that happen.
I impressed on him how much faith I had in him, and with the help of my colleagues we called out all the assistance we could to show how much we needed him and wanted him to succed. He had never experienced the faith and desire of someone wanting him to succeed before.
He addressed help from his pastor and faced all his demons and completed our module successfully. All he needed was someone to believe and fight for him. I hope he continues to believe in himself and use the tools we gave him!
The students I find most challenging are those who are really trying hard to succeed but do not have the educational background or academic skills to be successful. I feel so much compassion for these students that I have a tendency to want to hold their hand. I often have to stop myself and remind myself I have to provide them the tools to be successful, not be easier on them because of their circumstance. So, for these students I give them as much encouragement as I can. I also provide them with websites that can help them with essay writing, grammar, spelling etc to help them improve in these areas.
The most challenging for me has been the students that try to take advantage of me as an instructor that has been a student before and understands what it is like to be a working adult with a life other than school and understanding things to happen.
Hi Ellen,
I fully understand! I really reach out to these students as well. You do a fine job trying to get them up to speed. I spend a lot of additional time with these students outside of class time.
Patricia Scales
As a clinical instructor I have found that the most challenging student is the one that seems bored with the clinical work that they are suppost to be ingaged in. They are eager to move on to something new. What I have done to help these students is have the student help one of the others so they can stay engaged with the task at hand.
Hi Joe,
Great way to get students to stay excited about course content. Some students feel important when they help others.
Patricia Scales
Keeping them busy and involved works best for me.
My most challenging would have to be a student who has taken this course for a second time, but different schools. She has difficulty passing the National exam (4 times) and she blames it on her disabilty. What I have found out is that it is her lack of paying attention. She gets on these rants that may or may not have anything to do with the subject and I need to reel her in. I have spoken to her several times and finally I believe I have reached her. I have spoken to the director and the instructor who now has her in her class to help keep things in control.
One of my most challenging students was a natural leader who tried to dominate the class, including me. She did not do this consciouslyl, just as a part of her dominant personality. The only way I was able to control her was to ask her at least to lower her voice so that other students could have a little bit less noise so they could concentrate on their work.
Some of my most challenging students are those who are a bit "hyperactive" - continually talking to those behind, in front or around them; talking when instructor or other student(s) is talking; fidgiting in their chair, etc. I don't feel that I have successfully managed thses students yet but have found that my presence in their vicinity is helpful, having 1:1 talk with them identifying the behavior of concern, and on occassion having to address it on the spot and request the student to stop the behavior. I usually say this as quietly as possible, but it does stop the instructional process for others. I do identify many of these behaviors in my Classroom Information, Professional Conduct,and Expectations paper which I go over on the first day of class.
Hi Karen,
We all have these type students. I tend to do as you do, go near them, or I will give them the stare so that they know they need to be quiet. If all else fail I do have a firm private conversation with these type of students.
Patricia Scales
I am finding that more students are affected with challenges from childcare, fiances (gas money to get to class), single parents, and work schedules. I have students complete a time management schedule that has a 24/7 grid the first day of class. I keep these scheules in the student file and when they start having problems I meet with them and review their schedule for possible changes and solutions. At times it is hard but I always have to remember the expectations set at the beginning of class and not let my emotions about the student's issue influence non-fair decisions.
Hi Nancy,
Absolutely, it is hard to not let our emotions come in to play when it comes to enforcing rules. Some of our students have such sad stories, however we must be consistent to be fair to all.
Patricia Scales
My most challenging students thus far are the inattentive. I have a couple in each class. I really like the "minute papers" idea. I think it will be very effective.
I have been told by an wise and seasoned teacher - the best way to diffuse a any situation is to ask the student - "what can we do to help" and then listen. You may or may not be able to follow their wishes . . . but it wil usually make them feel better by you just taking the time to listen.
When a student shows uninterest or simply doesnt care it can be very frustrating. I have a student rt now that I turely use all my energy to get her interacted and she will loudly make a comment "Im sooo tired" Ugh!
sign, still trying to figure out how to stimulate her :0
