How to Handle Difficult Students
Tips for Strategically Managing Challenging Participants
Oct 26, 2009
An instructor who possesses the confidence and ability to professionally manage behavioral issues will quickly and efficiently minimize the negative impacts a disruptive student can have on a class.
Side Chatter and Talkative Students
An instructor should keep in mind that students will often chat with one another during a class lecture to solidify learning and to clarify concepts. If the noise level is disruptive to the class the instructor can employ a variety of strategies promote a quiet learning environment.
- An instructor can simply move from one point in the room to another during the lecture to keep students engaged and to control the noise level of the room.
- The closer an instructor moves to a group of chatty students the more quiet the group will become.
- If students become talkative during a learning activity or during computer work the instructor can move around the room and interact with students to see how they are progressing.
- Another way to quiet a talkative group is to simply address the class as a whole and ask them to quiet down. An instructor can quickly advise the class that the noise level is getting a little to loud and is becoming disruptive to the rest of the class.
During group work, class activities and computer time it is unreasonable for an instructor expect complete silence. Students make use of group activities and computer time by discussing key concepts and ideas with one another. This is an excellent way to learn, discover and understand class material.
Students who Ask an Excessive Number of Questions
Sometimes students will have a lot of questions. An instructor can prepare for disruptive questions and effectively manage the class by having a designated area to place questions until the end of a presentation or lecture.
- The instructor can advise students that during a presentation if questions are asked that cannot be immediately answered they will be placed on the "Parking Lot."
- A Parking Lot can be a sheet of brightly colored paper hung on the wall or a reserved area of a bulletin board or chalk board where questions can be “parked” for discussion at a later time.
- If a student asks an off topic, unrelated or “what if” question; the instructor can ask the student to place the question on the Parking Lot to be addressed at the end of the lecture.
- If a question is asked that has already been answered earlier in the lecture the instructor can choose to answer the question again or say “That is a great question and I think we answered it earlier. Does anyone recall the answer?” and direct the question back to the class.
Questions are a very important part of the learning process and should be answered as they are asked. However, if the questions are not relevant to the material being covered they can be placed in the Parking Lot for discussion at a later time.
Argumentative Students
Argumentative students are looking for dramatic debate. To deal effectively with argumentative or rude students an instructor needs to remain composed at all times and refrain from being pulled into a heated discussion in any form.
- An instructor can effectively respond to a hostile, rude or argumentative student by stating “There is definitely more than one way to do things, however, during this course we will be doing things as they have been outlined in the curriculum. Let me know if you want to chat at lunch and to go over some of your ideas.”
- An argumentative student prefers to engage in debate or heated discussion in front of an audience. When an instructor suggests that a student give up his/her lunch hour to talk it will satisfy the argumentative student prevent an embarrassing scene.
- If the student’s argument or complaint is not related to the topic being taught the instructor can ask the student to note down his/her concerns so they can be addressed at the end of class, during a Q&A session or in a meeting.
If a student is continually disrupting the class to point out perceived errors, disagreements or to make sarcastic and inappropriate comments the instructor will need to pull the student aside to provide feedback and to discuss concerns.
Students who Ramble
Sometimes a student will display difficult in expressing a thought or opinion and as a result will ramble on or get off topic. When a student starts rambling it is important to redirect or refocus the student.
- A rambling student is not always aware that he/she is taking a long time to or ask a question or to express his/her point of view.
- A simple way to refocus a student who is rambling is to wait until he/she takes a breath or pauses while talking. During that moment the instructor can step in and make a clarifying statement “So what you are saying is . . . “
- The instructor can also ask the student to summarize his/her main point or direct the comment to the rest of the class by saying “That is a great point, what does everyone else think?” This will engage the rest of the class into the discussion and allow the instructor to progress through the curriculum.
It is important for an instructor to address a rambling student with professionalism and understanding. If rambling students are embarrassed in front of the class they will withdraw and refrain from participating in class which will negatively impact their learning experience.
An instructor with patience, understanding and confidence can professionally and successfully manage the many disruptions that occur during a class.
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