My most challenging students are those who are obviously involved with drugs. Honestly, I could use advice with how to approach this problem. So far, I have stuck to the exact problems in class and talked to the students directly about that -- not participating, missing assignments, being disruptive in class, etc. Unless I actually saw the drug, I don't want to make an accusation or turn in the student. Unfortunately, I feel like this isn't sufficient to fix the problem.
I have found that my most challenging students are the ones who are quiet. The reason that this student may be quite could be lack of understanding regarding the material or personal issues. However, approaching the student with care and concern often leads into a positive outcome regarding the student’s success. When a teacher takes the initiative to show that they care students tend to open up more. This may even lead to an increase in performance in that class room in which everyone can benefit from student participation and interaction.
Regards,
Anthony Allen
The most challenging students I have today are students returning to school after many years away from a learning environment. The best way I have found to deal with these students is to not only to have an "open door" policy, but to give consistent and frequent encouragement. Re-inforcing small, attainable goals along the way is helpful.
My most challenging students are the ones who have poor attendance and attention. I am currently going through a patch with one right now and no matter how many times I coach him, it doesn't seem to get through. Many examples in my past, it works...to give them attention and letting them know I am looking out for them. This one currently, is a mind-bender.
Hi Kathleen,
Some students will not do what they are suppose to for anything. We just have to keep encouraging, and once we have done our parts by pushing to the extreme, we have to be content.
Patricia Scales
In church actually I have had a student in sunday school with autism. It was difficult but I found if I brought him word search or something to color he would sit long enough for the other children to learn something and the other children liked him more as well.
I find my most challenging students to be the perpetual fibbers who always have an excuse for missing class or assignments. It is usually only a matter of time when I ask if anyone in the class has seen or hear from this student and one says, oh yeah, per their Facebook page they went shopping, or lunch, etc. It's hard to accept late assignments and allow for make up tests when I know I was blatantly lied to.
Also, letting them know we have been in their shoes before and "our" story is very helpful insight.
Hi Stephanie,
Students love hearing our stories as they apply to their curriculum. Stories bring text book theory into real life.
Patricia Scales
Patricia.
I've found that the students who come in late, tardy or absent within the first three days and offer a lot of excuses for their tardiness will be the ones that will be the most challenging to becoming a successful student. At adult age many of these students have been displaying these characteristics for quite a while and they will require a more positive and engaging relationship from me. Breaking students into groups and rotating those groups allows me to be able to observe those same students. Assessing any common weakness in attention to detail and interaction with others also helps me to focus on specific areas for additional help or encouragement. peer pressure is always an effective tool in these settings forcing the student to realize that the must be prepared in order to participate in the project with the other students. Usually at some point I will ask the student to come in early or see after class, I usually do a short evaluation of what I have observed siting specific examples of the students progress to date and begin to encourage the student to come see me at the end of class if they need to double check the assignments or pose questions and concerns. I know it wastes paper but handing a copy of upcoming quiz and project due date reminders to the student at any instructor to student interactions helps keep these assignments that are coming ahead in the forefront of their mind. I usually have a pre quiz on the first day to allow me to judge how much of the material they have retained in the previous term in order to advance to this class. It helps me to spot students who will need additional help or coaching as well as gives me some focal areas to touch the students back up on in order to make the transition more successful for them and myself.
The students who get bored easily. Ask them to assist with the lesson at hand. The topic could be math or even a foreign language. Many times they will be able to assist those who are having the rough time of comprehending.
Students that I find the most challenging are the ones that constantly want to be the center of attention. They always have input and therefore seem to talk over the other students. Strategies to deal with this type of student is also a challenge for me. I have found that requiring hands raising for interaction to reduce the amount of "stepping on other students" occuring, but I also liked the idea of the use of cards as discussed in the class material and may give that a try.
I have just identifying a challenging student. The student attends class daily and actively participates in class. It was not until today's exam that I discovered this would be a challenging student - the exam grade was 20%. I requested to meet with the student before the next class to learn what contributed to this grade and see what we can do together to have a successful outcome in this class.
I find that my most challenging students are the more mature learners. They bring a lot of life experiences to the classroom, which in the correct forum can be helping but at times become very distracting. They believe because they have "lived", they know it all. As opposed to shutting them completely down, I use their same examples to show them how it is not always correct.
Hi Aracelis,
You never want to embarrass a student in front of others. I always have a private talk with this type of student to let them know that I appreciate their input, but I need them to let other studetns participate as well.
Patricia Scales
The most challenging students are disruptive due to talking, laughing etc. during lab lectures. Their backs are turned so they think that I can't here them or see them?? I can. I have stopped lecturing for a couple of minutes to see if the chatter stops and that seems to work and we reconvene. However, this is not the most productive measure at times.
I have also had students come to me when they are struggling with issues outside of school. I can't do anything about attendance policies or give them special exception on grades and due dates, but if I know they are having a tough time, I can give them encouragement and suggestions for overcoming the struggle of balancing the stress of personal issues and the responsibility of completing work on time. I am glad they are comfortable enough with me to ask for help.
I agree. If you have taught classes for some time, you'll also find that sharing stories of other students in addition to your own personal stories really bring life to the theoretical presentation.
I had a challenging student before, who tried to have the whole class gang up against my assignments. She asked what would I do if they all refused to do my assignments. I told her, they would definitely make my job easier by my "0" grades. She was shocked and never attempted that trouble again. She became one of my top performers. It was a morning class full of young high school student freshmen.
The center of attention students are a mixed blessing. I will employ the observer role and check it's effectiveness.
