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.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Challenge in Lab Management
My lab management has had some issues in the past few weeks. The way our lab is situated there are some areas that I am having trouble seeing the students at all times. Also when I am busy helping students others seem to take advantage of these "blind" areas and goof off. It is not possible to change around the lab as the stations are built in. I have tried using student monitors but haven't had much luck with them. I have had some luck when I remove the students that are playing around and put them into book work. But then they miss out on the lesson that I am trying to teach. As we only have two class periods in the lab, I hate for them to miss.
Hey!
ReplyDeleteI have had this same issue before. I ended up changing my class to an assigned seating plan, where my "trusted" kids were placed in my blind spots. I have a row of computers that I cannot see what they are doing unless I walk to the back of the room. Unfortunately I cannot change my room either. Placing some students their that I knew would behave has worked...but occassionally I catch them goofing off too. My new plan is to install a fake video camera behind them to "monitor" them. Maybe it will work until November...I guess my only other suggestion would be constant walking around or proximity. Mirrors might work too if your school would install them.
Dr. Burns - is it a bad idea to install harsher punishment for blind areas of seating...meaning that you would tell the students that if they sit in the blind area and abuse the class rules that consequences are worse...
I agree with everything Penny said in her comment to your blog.
ReplyDeleteAn assigned seating arrangement in class and lab is very important. The seating chart can give you the info in a flash where every student is supposed to be. Knowing where everyone is at all times is very important. I also have a pass log clipboard for each class. There is nothing more embarassing than to be seaching for a lost student, when it was you that wrote them a pass to go to the restroom.
Kids love to hide. What I hate is playing a game of hide and go seek. The first time you have one of your students to hide in your class write them up for skipping. I stopped it. While I have been taping my class for Burns, all my students have been very well behaved. My movement has helped by eliminating down time at the hiding spots. I had to lock my outside parking lot gate at all times because my students would wander to the student parking lot to do whatever. My class leaders have the responsibility to know also what everyone is doing all the time. That has helped a lot, especially when I hold them somewhat accountable. If they miss lab then they should pay the price, write them up for skipping.