DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS: REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
Question 5:
A student comes to class late on a regular basis and “makes an entrance” when she
arrives. She brings food and drink to class and when she finishes her snack, she arbitrarily
gets up to throw the food containers away while making a commotion. During a lecture,
she will often say “that’s dumb” in response to others’ comments. Other students give
her “looks” that indicate “straighten up”, but to no avail.
What is your response?
How would you manage this student and her impact on your classroom?
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- If there is no immediate threat, speak to the student privately. Speak calmly and
with concern, avoid escalating the situation and avoid physical contact.
Instructor: "Mallory, I need to talk to you about some of the things you say and do in class.
For example…(cite examples). These behaviors are disruptive. I need for you to change
your behavior in class. You need to arrive on time for every class period and to enter
the classroom quietly. During the class period, listen without interrupting while
your classmates ask questions or make contributions to class. I believe you can manage
your behavior well enough to routinely wait your turn before making relevant comments,
including constructive criticism".
I want to make you aware that if you continue to say and do things which disrupt the
class that I can dismiss you from the rest of a class period. You would then need
to meet with the Dean of Student Life before you could return to the next class period.
- Document all conversations and each incident of inappropriate/disruptive behavior.
To report this student of concern to the SACC, call Dr. Mary Kaye Anderson, Interim Director of Counseling Services, 615-898-2670. The SACC group will gather available information about a particular
student of concern and make decisions about possible appropriate interventions.
Question 6:
A student speaks loudly and has a comment after almost every sentence made by the
instructor. The instructor tries to continue with the lecture and questioning of other
students in the class and ignores the disruptions. The student continually asks the
instructor the same question repeatedly (over ten times) in one class session.
What is your response?
How would you manage the situation?
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- If there is no immediate threat, speak with the student privately about their disruptive
behavior.
- Document each conversation and each incident of disruptive behavior:
- Instructor: "Sam, I need to talk to you about your behavior in class. In particular, you...(cite
the problem behaviors). These behaviors disrupt the class. Are you aware that the
way you behave is disruptive?
Can you stop doing the things I just mentioned? You have a resource on campus that
can provide you help if you feel that you cannot manage behaviors that disrupt this
class. Counseling Services is located in KUC 326; the phone number is 615-898-2670.
Sam, you also need to be aware that I can dismiss you from a class period if you continue
to be disruptive. You would then need to meet with the Dean of Student Life before
you return to this class”.
To report this student of concern to the Student Assistance Coordinating Committee,
(SACC) call Dr. Mary Kaye Anderson, Interim Director of Counseling Services, at 615-898-2670.
The SACC group will gather available information about a particular student of concern
and make decisions about possible appropriate interventions.
