Difficult Students:from Cell Phones to Tired Students

A presentation led by

Dr. John Marvelle

CART Teaching Fellow

Professor of Elementary & Early Childhood Education

November 17, 2004

Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA

What student behaviors irritate you?

To begin the workshop Dr Marvelle asked participantsTo begin the workshop Dr Marvelle asked participantsto list on a note card 3 student behaviors that irritated them.to list on a note card 3 student behaviors that irritated them.

Irritating Irritating

behaviorsbehaviors

Top 10 Student Behaviors that Irritate Professors*…1. Carrying on personal conversations with

others during a lecture (75%)2. Cheat on exams (47%)3. Miss class and ask, “Did I miss anything

important?” (37%)4. Place their head on the desk and fall asleep

during class (36%)5. Are excessively tardy (35%)

*T. Doyle, New Faculty Orientation Webpage -- Ferris State College

Top 10 Student Behaviors that Irritate Professors…6. Fail to read assigned textbook or collateral

materials (35%)7. Are absent on exam days (32%)8. Fail to bring required materials to class

(32%)9. Are excessively absent (28%)10. Miss a lecture and then expect the

professor to provide them a personal encore (28%)

Some that have bothered some of my colleagues…

                      

Attendance & Participation

                      

Dear Dr. Greenberg:I missed your class yesterday and I was wondering if you did anything important? Phil

Dear Dr. Thornell:How many unexcused absences do we get in this class? Jill

“I tried so I deserve an A.”

Grade Expectations

Hiding Accommodation Plans“I didn’t give you my accommodation plan because I wanted to see if I could do it on my own. Now I wish I had given it to you.

Can I retake the test?”Invited Workshop Guest, Learning Disabilities Specialist Pam Spillane,Invited Workshop Guest, Learning Disabilities Specialist Pam Spillane,stated that if a student didn’t share their special education accommodationstated that if a student didn’t share their special education accommodationdocuments with the professor in advance, their office would not support thedocuments with the professor in advance, their office would not support thestudent’s request to retake an exam.student’s request to retake an exam.

Requests to Change a Grade

Dear Dr. Moir: What can I do to get a better grade? Tom

Dear Dr. Fishbeck: I don’t like my grade. I think it is unfair for you to give me it. I was the youngest person in class.

Mary Anne

Cell Phones

Text messaging

Ringing phones

Laptops and “Instant Messaging”

are on their way!

“It’s Bridgewater Parking…

that is why I am always late

for class.”

Excessively Tardy

Other irritations

Tired Students Dr. Smith,

You cannot hold hold me responsible for knowing the material on this test, as I was sleeping during all of your lectures.

As you did not wake me up, I assumed that you sympathized with my tiredness and were excusing me from the information being covered. I assumed that I would not have to take a test on it. Phil Jones

Amount of Work Expectations

“There is too much reading in this class. You are being unfair. I have to work and I don’t have time to do all of this reading.”

Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism…

“I didn’t know we had to put it into

our own words.”

Cheating:

the Old Way…

May 12, 2004

School Officials Ban Cell Phones for Cheating Attempt

Officials at a Salinas high school have banned cell phones after a student used a camera phone to photograph an exam and tried to send it to a friend, reports the AP.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USA Today.com 1/31/2003

University students admit to using cell phones to cheat ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) — Six University of Maryland students have admitted to using their cell phones to access answer keys during a December accounting exam, a case of students using technology to cheat that surprised university officials.

The New Way

Pushy, Disrespectful Students

“You are my advisor and I need to register for classes tomorrow. I am free at 11 and I would like to see you then.”

Some Solutions

in the literature

Ways to Avoid Problems

1st Axiom:

Preventing problems uses less energy than

correcting them.

                      

1. Define expectations clearly at the outset

2. Decrease student anonymity3. Seek feedback from students4. Encourage active learning

M.D. Sorcinelli (1994) Handbook of College Teaching, Greenwood Press

Create a Constructive Classroom Environment

Proactive Strategies

Use your syllabus and your first day of class introduction to help your students know your expectations

Classroom Expectations•Attendance / Tardiness•Participation / civility & respect•During lectures

•side conversations•note-taking•use of laptops

•Eating/drinking in class

Academic Policies•Grading/standards•Quality of work•Late assignments•Make-up work•Plagiarism / cheating

Idea #1 -- An Example

Attendance: Attendance in my sections of MMAE 202 is rigidly enforced.  I will hand out a sheet with each student's name on it. You are required to put your initials in the box corresponding to your name, otherwise you will be marked as absent. The part of my evaluation of your grade will be based upon your attendance record. Therefore, it is imperative that you come to class. If for some reason (and it better be good) you cannot attend class, you must e-mail me the day before and explain why. M. Vural, Assistant Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Illinois Institute of Technology

Help your students know what your attendance policy by clearly stating it.

Idea #2 -- An Example

Missed Class Assignment

One of my goals as a professor is to help pre-service teachers develop a deep understanding of the issues related to creating a standards-based, inclusive classroom.

As a student, you are responsible for learning about the course

topics that are discussed in class. If you miss any class time, you are required to demonstrate your understanding of the topic(s) that were presented/discussed during your absence. To do this, you are expected to submit a tangible

product (see criteria below) on each topic.

J. Marvelle, Bridgewater State CollegeJ. Marvelle, Bridgewater State College

Idea #3

                      

www.xu.edu/lac/Class_Participation.htm

Help your students know what you mean by participation.

To see a “participation rubric,” click on this button.To see a “participation rubric,” click on this button.

For an example from For an example from the Learning Assistance Center, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio click on the weblink beyond. click on the weblink beyond. Note: You must be connected to the web to see this example.Note: You must be connected to the web to see this example.

Task Points

Content /4

Presentation /1

Total: /5

Grading Checklist

Grading Rubric

Manage expectations by helping studentsunderstand what a grade means by using checklists and rubrics.

Idea #4 -- An Example

Idea #5 -- An Example

Grade Change Request: If you find that your grades have been added incorrectly, or you would like a grade on your homework or examination reconsidered, you should

• Prepare a written statement explaining why you think your grade is incorrect;

• Leave your written request, together with the homework/exam in question in my office at E1-253D or mailbox at E1-247.

Grade change requests received later than one week after the graded assignment was returned to you will not be considered.

M. Vural, Assistant Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Illinois Institute of Technology

Idea #6 -- A Reminder

                      

Never attribute to malice what can be attributed to ignorance or inexperience -- most of the time students are not trying to be malicious and often are not aware that they are being disruptive.

Ask the student to see you after class. View the situation as an opportunity to educate.

Use “I-statements” to address the concern:

“Tom, I am concerned that you have been late for class every day since the beginning of the semester.”

Don’t forget to use

“reflective listening” skills.

Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism to Cheating

Invited Workshop Guest, Associate Dean Rita Miller,Invited Workshop Guest, Associate Dean Rita Miller,stated that faculty should review the various procedures associated with severestated that faculty should review the various procedures associated with severemisconduct (click on the button to the right to view one section of BSC’s academic misconduct (click on the button to the right to view one section of BSC’s academic misconduct policy). Dr. Miller also emphasized the importance of keep an misconduct policy). Dr. Miller also emphasized the importance of keep an anecdotal record of the misconduct (“Document, document, document!).anecdotal record of the misconduct (“Document, document, document!).

Idea Exchange….

                      “round robin”

Participants were asked to review their note card list of student irritating behaviors and Participants were asked to review their note card list of student irritating behaviors and to put an * beside one of the student behaviors that irritated them the most. Then each participantto put an * beside one of the student behaviors that irritated them the most. Then each participantpassed their card to their left. The card recipient was asked to offer a suggestion to the issue and passed their card to their left. The card recipient was asked to offer a suggestion to the issue and pass the card again to their left. After about 10 minutes, the cards were returned to the originalpass the card again to their left. After about 10 minutes, the cards were returned to the originalowner for their review.owner for their review.

Top 10 Professor Behaviors that Irritate Students*…1. Assign work as though their class is the only one

students have, or at least the most important one (45%)

2. Lecture too fast and fail to slow down when asked (40%)

3. Make students feel inferior when they ask a question (35%

4. Are not specific on what exams will cover (34%)5. Create “trick” questions (34%)

*T. Doyle, New Faculty Orientation Webpage -- Ferris State College

Top 10 Student Behaviors that Irritate Professors…

6. Deliver their lectures in a monotone manner (32%)

7. Give exams that don’t correspond to lectures (28%)

8. Get behind and then cram their lectures into the remaining time (28%)

9. Assume students already have base knowledge for the course (26%)

10. Require a textbook and then fail to use it (25%)

Suggestions/Questions: Dr. John Marvelle

Department of Elementary & Early Childhood Educationjmarvelle@bridgew.edu (508) 531-1367

Thank you for sharing!

To return to the presentation, click on this button.To return to the presentation, click on this button.

Positive Attributes

(1) Enters into class discussions ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(2) Offers questions or comments during class ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(3) Visits at podium after class ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(4) Visits during office hours to clarify ideas ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(5) Engages in the electronic learning forum ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(6) Offers questions or comments via e-mail ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

Negative Attributes

(7) Skips class ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(8) Shows up late ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(9) Sleeps in class ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

(10) Exhibits disruptive behavior ALMOST ALWAYS FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY SELDOM ALMOST NEVER

Thanks to Prof. Kathleen Tunney, SocialWork, SIUE

Student Participation

Student's Name:_________________ _________________ _________________

To return to the presentation, click on this button.To return to the presentation, click on this button.

Additional Thoughts….

Disruptive, disrespectful, and annoying classroom behavior is distinct from dangerous threatening behavior. Non-threatening, annoying classroom behavior: Chronically late Talking with friends during class Eating or sleeping in class Engaging in arguments with the instructor or other students (Amada, 1994)------------------------------Other behavior issues: Stalking and inappropriate erotic or romantic attachments

Disruptive behaviors can be characterized as rebellious or emotional in nature.

Amada (1994), suggests that faculty not make assumptions. He encourages all instructors to set the behavioral standards for their classroom behavior.

Useful web site: www.ou.edu/idp/tips/ideas/quick18.html

Workshop HandoutDifficu lt Students: From Cell Phones to

Tired Students

November 17, 3:00-4:15 PM, CART Conference Room M217

Description: In this session we will discuss the variouschallenges that we have faced with students andexplore strategies that we have found successful inhandling them.

Workshop Leader: Dr. John Marvelle, CART TeachingFellow and Professor of Elementary Education.jmarvelle@bridgew.edu

Invited Guests:• D . r Rit a Mill , er Associat e D , ean Scho ol ofArt s a ndSciences

rmiller@bridgew.edu• Ms. Pa m Spilla , ne Learnin g Disabilitie s Specialis , t Acade micAchievement

Cente . r pspillane@bridgew.edu

Resources:• College Handbook: http://www.bridgew. /eduhandbook/• Fo r acop y of th e PowerPoi ntpresentati on use d during

th is works ,hop s end a n ema il t o jmarvelle@bridgew.edu.