Student’s behavior in class
A young teacher asked: “How do you deal with classroom's issues when students are sending emails and texting in their smartphone when you are lecturing? How do you deal with students who are watching YouTube in their laptops during class? Should we forbid them to bring these electronic devices to class? Please advice.”
Answer: Today many students carry laptops, tablets, or smartphones to take note in class so you cannot forbid them to bring these devices to school. Since they also often get distracted by these devices, teachers need to keep them to pay attention in class by using different teaching methods to get them involved in class activities. Teaching methods such as class discussion, group work, and case studies will keep them involved in the learning process rather lecturing when students just sit quiet, listen and easily get bored then use their electronic devices instead of learning.
Students always want to know how learning will link to their future work in the workplace, therefore teachers need to spend time explain which part of the lecture is important, why it is important, and how it will be used in the industry. Most students will pay attention and appreciate it. Sometime students would pay more attention if the teachers spend time to speak clearly, and explain things slowly enough so they can process it as well as take notes.
After all, students must be held accountable for their behavior and attendance so teachers must assign works that are linked to the grade of the class. Attendance and class participation should be part of the class final grade so the more students pay attention and engage in class activities, the more they are rewarded with points that count toward the final grade, and it will motivate them to pay more attention.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
