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DIFFICULT BEHAVIORS IN THE CLASSROOM

  1. BEHAVIOR

    Rambling - wandering around and off subject. Using far fetched examples or analogies.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Refocus attention by restating relevant point.
    • Direct questions to group that is back on the subject
    • Ask how topic relates to current topic being discussed.
    • Use visual aids, begin to write on board, turn on overhead projector.
    • Say: "Would you summarize your main point please?" or "Are you asking...?"
  2. BEHAVIOR

    Shyness or Silence - lack of participation

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Change teaching strategies from group discussion to individual written exercises or a videotape
    • Give strong positive reinforcement for any contribution.
    • Involve by directly asking him/her a question.
    • Make eye contact.
    • Appoint to be small group leader.
  3. BEHAVIOR

    Talkativeness - knowing everything, manipulation, chronic whining

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Acknowledge comments made.
    • Give limited time to express viewpoint or feelings, and then move on.
    • Make eye contact with another participant and move toward that person.
    • Give the person individual attention during breaks.
    • Say: "That's an interesting point. Now let's see what other other people think."
  4. BEHAVIOR

    Sharpshooting - trying to shoot you down or trip you up.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Admit that you do not know answerand redirect the question the group or the individual who asked it.
    • Acknowledge that this is a joint learning experience.
    • Ignore the behavior.
  5. BEHAVIOR

    Heckling/Arguing - disagreeing with everything you say; making prsonal attacks.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Redirect question to group or supportive individuals.
    • Recognize participant's feelings and move one.
    • Acknowledge positive points.
    • Say: "I appreciate your comments, but I'd like to hear from others," or "It looks like we disagree."
  6. BEHAVIOR

    Grandstanding - getting caught up in one's own agenda or thoughts to the detriment of other learners.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Say: "You are entitled to your opinion, belief or feelings, but now it's time we moved on to the next subject," or "Can you restate that as a question?" or "We'd love to hear more about that if there is time after the presentation."
  7. BEHAVIOR

    Overt Hostility/Resistance - angry, belligerent, combative behavior.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Hostility can be a mask for fear. Reframe hostility as fear to depersonalize it.
    • Respond to fear, not hostility.
    • Remain calm and polite. Keep your temper in check.
    • Don't disagree, but build on or around what has been said.
    • Move closer to the hostile person, maintain eye contact.
    • Always allow him or her a way to gracefully retreat from the confrontation.
    • Say: "You seem really angry. Does anyone else feel this way?" Solicit peer pressure.
    • Do not accept the premise or underlying assumption, if it is false or prejudicial, e.g., "If by 'queer" you mean homosexual..."
    • Allow individual to solve problem being addressed. He may not be able to offer solutions and will sometimes undermine his own position.
    • Ignore behavior.
    • Talk to him or her privately during the break.
    • As a last resort, privately ask the individual to leave class for the good of the group.
  8. BEHAVIOR

    Griping - may be legitimate complaining.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Point out that we can't change policy here.
    • Validate his/her point.
    • Indicate you'll discuss the problem with the participant privately.
    • Indicate time pressure.
  9. BEHAVIOR

    Side Conversations - may be related to subject or personal. Distracts group members and you.

    POSSIBLE RESPONSES

    • Don't embarrass talkers.
    • Ask their opinion on topic being discussed.
    • Ask talkers if they would like to share their ideas.
    • Casually move toward those talking.
    • Make eye contact with them.
    • Comment on the group (don't look at them "one-at-a-time" please.
    • Standing near the talkers, ask a nea-by participant a question so that the new discussion is near the talkers.
    • As a last resort, stop and wait.

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Jerry Cerny, jerry@hcc.hawaii.edu

http://www.ntlf.com/html/lib/bib/questions.htm

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