This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Addressing the problem
My 3rd block class has been the worst class so far this semester. About half of the students are focused and ready to work, the other half are constantly disrupting and disrespectful. So yesterday I decided that if we're going to make any "collective progress" then I would have to address the problem. A class discussion was in order. It didn't seem to surprise me that the disruptive half were most argumentative about my opinions on the condition of the "culture of defiance" at our school. The other half could clearly see the problem. We're going to resume the discussion today but I don't know if it will do any good. Dr. B and Jess, is it a good idea to have these types of discussions? I'm at a loss for ideas and figured if we're going to have any kind of productive "rest of the semester" then I needed to do something.
I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in this boat on the murky waters. I have been having "come to Jesus" meetings all morning, whether with my professional team or my students. It gets exhausting after awhile, tossing and turning and feeling like the 60 days of school left are going to be an eternity. To destress myself, I'm going to work on my reading corner.
ReplyDeleteDwayne,
ReplyDeleteI've had class discussions like these with students in the past for the same reasons you mention here. I think these discussions can be VERY productive if one makes the effort to REALLY listen to the students without reacting or being judgmental (easier said than done!). Go back to the course packet that Dr. Burns gave you last semester and re-read the section about whole class discussions. This section offers lots of tips on how to keep class discussions civil and on topic.
One suggestion that I have for you is to emphasize to the students that you are seeking THEIR advice to find a solution to what you perceive as a lack of cooperation and cohesiveness (you may need to use a word the students will understand-- like connectedness)among the students in the class. Let the students share with you how they perceive the problem. Record their responses on the board. Then, try to redefine all of these "problem statements" into a single explanation that all the students can agree on. Next, brainstorm solutions to the problem by soliciting the students' input. Again, record students' responses on the board. You could have the students vote on 3-5 "best" suggested solutions. Finally, brainstorm with the class how you will implement these solutions. Ask questions like, "How will we know when we are working well together as a team?", "What will it feel like to be in a class where we are all focused and productive?", etc.
Basically, you need to create a cooperative classroom community-- a team atmosphere. Honestly, it can be helpful to do team building exercises with your students to help foster mutual cooperation, respect, and support. Your students just need your leadership and guidance to create a greater sense of community and cooperation in the classroom. I'll try to send you some links to additional resources in a later comment.
Sorry to be so long-winded.
Here are some links to Team Building Exercises. If you use any of them in class, please post on the blog about the experience.
ReplyDeletehttp://wilderdom.com/games/InitiativeGames.html
http://wilderdom.com/games/TeamBuildingExercisesWebsites.html
http://www.businessfundamentals.com/TeamBuilding.htm
http://www.teambuildingportal.com/games/
Dwayne
ReplyDeleteI think the discussion is a good idea. But you must facilitate and mediate the discussion. Allow the disruptive students to tell you why they are so disruptive. You may find out they are unhappy about things you may not have realized. Then tell them what you can or will do to make them happy and also tell them what you want from them in return to make you happpy. Ultimately try to come to a happy median at MUTUAL RESPECT. With that, it wouldn't matter much if they chose not to do there work, as long as they don't hinder other students from learning. Remind me on Saturday, to tell you about OUCH and OOPS, which is what I use in my class. It helps with accountability and respect for each other.