I teach college. I have one particular student that always tries to undermine me, correct me, point out something like "Yes, but isn't it the case that......" basically it makes me feel defensive! What can I do? This is college, so I feel I cannot chastize him like I would a high schooler by saying, "Are you the teacher?" Plus he is way out of his league; most of the things he says are completely irrelevant or not even correct. I teach Latin.
2007-02-06 04:34:05 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I would pull out the Socratic method on him. Address every single question to him for the entire period, and don't pull any punches in pointing out when he is wrong. This will keep you firmly in control of the class (which it sounds like he enjoys monopolizing) and it may just show this particular student that there is a reason why YOU are the teacher and he is paying to pay attention to YOUR lecture, not the other way around. In all fairness, you may have to adopt this particular method once a week or so and pick on a different student each time, but nothing encourages studying like the promise of a verbal pop-quiz!
2007-02-06 04:52:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Don't forget the most important thing here: YOU are the teacher. It doesn't matter who this person is, you are the one who is supposed to be in control. If this person's comments are irrelevant to the discussion, then either ignore them or say something like, "That's interesting, we'll discuss that at another time." Or, if his comments are just plain wrong, then you need to either correct him or use his error as a teaching tool. You could also humorously remind him that this is a Latin class so if he wants to debate a point he should join the debate team. Either way, just remember that it is YOUR class. You wouldn't be teaching it if you hadn't earned the right to do so and you have every right to take control, whatever method you use.
2007-02-06 05:12:40 · answer #2 · answered by readergrl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time, there's two sides to a story. I've only heard yours. Try to think of this situation from the boy's point of view. Ask his other teachers if he treats them this way. Maybe this student just doesn't like you for some reason, or he could be having some difficulties in life, and school is just adding to the stress? I understand that you're annoyed, but you could talk to him after class to figure out why he's acting this way.
There's a boy in junior high class. He's intelligent, but he's always out of line. I feel sorry for him at times. He's mostly just speaking when he's not suppose to and walks around the room and just basically annoys the hell outta my science teacher. It's not his fault really. It's just that he has no self control, and he can't really control that, now can he? Maybe this student has the same problem.
Hope you find my advice helpful and also hope you resolve this "Student from hell" problem.
=]
2007-02-06 12:51:42 · answer #3 · answered by xxxshiningxstarxxx 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When he asks a question like that or tried to correct him, just tell him he's wrong and move on. If he tries to question it further, tell him you have office hours for a reason and he can discuss the issue with you during those hours. If he does choose to do this, this is the time to have a one on one conversation with him. Ask him why he is doing this, and tell him how it is disrupting your lessons. If he refuses to budge, next time he interrupts your lesson, invite him to come teach the class. Take his seat while he gets up to teach and interrupt and correct him every chance you get. Also remember, you are a college professor, and if your students don't act appropriatly, you do have the authority to make them leave. If he misses enough classes or if you throw him out enough, he will fail the class according to your school's attendence policy. Good luck!!
2007-02-06 05:00:11 · answer #4 · answered by queenrakle 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Every college teacher gets this. He wants to catch you to prove how smart he is. This is the technique. When he is off target, your answer should be, we need to focus on the class objective at hand. When he is incorrect, say we dont have time to dicuss why that is wrong but you may want to look up etc etc. Don't let him get you on the defensive. Another technique is to say, I will answer questions at the end of class. Or put an Issues and Answers column on the board. Invite students to write their questions that relate to the reading or chapter you are studying and have them answer each others questions. This will allow other students to tell him either the answers or that he is off topic. It wont always be you.
2007-02-06 05:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by fancyname 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would talk to him after class and explain that while you appreciate his enthusiasm for the class, his constant comments/questions are bothering the other students, so he should keep his comments to a minimum. During class, answer his questions quickly and tell him he can see you after class or during office hours if he wants to discuss it further, but you don't want to spend any more of class time on the subject (it's outside the scope of this class, whatever).
If he remains an annoyance, talk to your department chair about him, and maybe someone at the advising office. They may have suggestions, or might have already dealt with this kid already! Also, this way they've heard your side of the story in case the kid tries to complain that you aren't letting him contribute to the class.
2007-02-06 08:25:18 · answer #6 · answered by kris 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i know what you are going through and i sympathize you. The child is obviously confused for what you are teaching the class and for what the child has been taught. in this case the child feels that he/she is at your level. a method that has been tried and tested is to give the child more responsibility. Tell the class that due to this child's good leadership skills and the ability to speak up, every one will talk to the child and give the problems they are facing and ways in which they can be taught to improve the lessons. the problem child will then report back to you as the teacher and give you feedback. after a while the child will learn to be less outspoken only when really needed.
i hope this works for you
2007-02-06 09:28:04 · answer #7 · answered by savvapelou 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that feeling, I am a college student and there is always that one guy in the class that tries to condescent and correct the professor. It drives the students crazy as well!
Since he is usually wrong, the ball is in your court. Make sure to point out his errored objection to the fullest, he is trying to sound smart, (and smarter than you), so if you completely expand on his flaws (without embarrasing him, b/c that will discourage other students from asking questions), he will probably stop. Good luck!
2007-02-06 04:39:51 · answer #8 · answered by goldengirl 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I like to be like this student sometimes. Usually I do it because I have heard some thing that contradicts what the professor is teaching. When they Prof is teaching something that contradicts a journal article (for a science class example). What I always want is for the Prof to take the time to help me understand the difference between what I am thinking and what is being taught. Perhaps the student needs the time to understand. Come prepared to defend your teachings by giving a step by step reason from his to yours. This will probably help the other students understand what is being taught in a valid manor.
2007-02-06 04:44:09 · answer #9 · answered by Tyler B 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If he's out of his league and discusses things that are incorrect and irrelevant- let him, and everyone else, know. Encourage other students to correct him (you might want to word it differently). Chances are, they're just as irritated with the dude as you are. Give them the opportunity to put him in his place. Or just come onto him in Latin. :D
2007-02-06 04:49:06 · answer #10 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋