Classroom Management

What are the issues?

• Please write down three examples of disruptive behaviors that in your experience have made the classroom less conducive to learning

Uncivil student behaviors

Annoying, but not prohibited• Cutting class• Not paying attention• Sleeping in class• Acting bored• Using computers not related to class• Being unprepared• Refusing to answer direct questions

Prohibited student behaviors

• Arriving late, leaving early (when it disrupts others)

• Holding distracting conversations, disapproving groans

• Dominating class discussions• Using cell phones or pagers during class• Cheating, plagiarism• Public challenges to faculty credibility, in-class

accusations of faculty of being prejudicial

• Verbal and physical disrespect• Threats (including threatening to give a poor

evaluation or to go to the dean)

The Inattentive Student

• Why is this a problem?

• Why are some students inattentive?

• What can you do?– Let’s role play!

The Inattentive Student - Solutions• Discuss your policy the first day

– Remember, faculty rights and responsibilities protects you

• Take charge of the room layout, if possible– Can even tape off the back row

• Make your teaching more active• Address problems as they arise

The Angry Student

• Why is this a problem?

• Why do some students become confrontational in class?

• What can you do?– Let’s role play!

The Angry Student - Solutions• Open the door or move into the hall

• Know his/her name

• Reflect back his/her feeling

• Summarize what they have said and terminate the conversation

• Buy time (the 24 hour rule)

• Respond later

• Document the interaction

Excuses

• Can do work early, but not late

• Spell out the consequences and then…

• Stay firm

• Be consistent

The Dominator

• Why is this a problem?

• Why do some students dominate the discussion?

• What can you do?

The Dominator - Solutions

• Emphasize importance of bringing many perspectives to bear on the subject

• Small group work• Writing task before discussion• Randomization of speakers• Give him/her a task:

– Rotating chair– Recorder– Process observer

Academic Misconduct

• See reading about plagiarism

• Ways to Prevent Cheating– Develop group norms or an “honor code”– Provide many reasonable opportunities for students

to demonstrate achievement– Reduce anonymity– Talk to students who aren’t doing well– Alternate seating, alternate exam forms– Proctor exams

Classroom Management Issues

• Academic Misconduct• Aggressive Students• Attendance• Discussing Controversial Topics• Disrespectful Instructors• Dominant Students & Quiet Students• Emotional & Psychological Problems• Inattentive Students• Unprepared Students

Tips for Minimizing Problems

1. Publish expectations in the syllabus and review in class.

2. Address issues when they come up.

3. Be consistent in application of University and course policies.

Also, online classes are governed by the same policies!

Disrespectful Instructor Behavior

• Please write down three instructor behaviors that you find to be uncivil or disruptive to the learning environment

Disrespectful Instructor Behavior

Prohibited• Changing assignments or test dates without warning • Canceling class without warning• Belittling students through sarcasm, humiliation,

intimidation, or profanity• Not showing up for office hours• Taunts*• Threats of harm to career or to physical person, etc.*• Vulgarity*• Harassing comments and actions*

* These behaviors in instructors and students are prohibited by law.

Disrespectful Instructor Behavior

Not Prohibited• Arriving late for class, leaving early• Poor lecture skills• Refusing to answer questions• Deviating from the course syllabus• Refusing to allow make-up exams, extensions or grade

changes

SourcesTeaching Tips (Chapters 10 & 14)

• University of Utah Student Code http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-10.html

• University of Utah Faculty Rights and Responsibilities www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-12-4.html

• Thank you to Stephanie Richardson