Thursday, July 19, 2012
White Water Rafting
My question to the class is what is the best way to handle the student who falls asleep during class? I do not currently teach any didactic courses (the students don't typically fall asleep in clinc because there is too much going on!), but I have noticed this throughout my own education and as I have observed in other instructor's classes. As a matter of fact, I was observing a lecture this week and two different students were out! One of them actually moaned out loud! This particular instructor did not address it, but I do not know if I could overlook it as an instructor. What do you think is the best way to handle this? Thanks for the help!!
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Amy,
ReplyDeleteI know that can be quite a distraction for the lecturer. I would address it with the student only after observing it happening time and again. I think we have all had those days when we did not get any sleep the night before and then have to sit the next day and it is everything we can do to not fall asleep. It is by no means a reflection on the instructor. It is a reflection on the stress in our lives! As we know, adults do not get near enough sleep. Unfortunately, falling asleep in class is not something one normally chooses to do. It just happens.
On the other hand, if it is a habit with a student it has to be addressed. There could be a number of reasons for falling asleep and it is within your right as an instructor to get to the bottom of it and offer help if needed.
(But, how embarrassing for the moaner!)
Amy,
ReplyDeleteSo are you telling me you are boring?!?LOL Just kidding.
You could always load you eraser up with chalk and and test out its aerodynamic properties by sending it flying his/her way!!
Seriously though, I think it would be best to address the issue one on one outside of the classroom. Their may be a reason that can easily be resolved. The other part about talking about it after class is it allows you time to work on a resolve together. Maybe it is a simple fact of the climate in the classroom, or that the windows need to be opened up to allow fresh air in. I know one instructor who had the entire class get up and do stretches from time to time. Another idea is to get the student more involved in the learning process. Just spit-balling here, but maybe you could tell them that in order to help the class become more involved that you will be using them to help initiate more classroom participation. You will be doing this by handing him/her a script to read or tell them to focus on a specific part of the text for the next class. This might give them something to help them stay engaged.
I like the eraser thing the best, but it is your choice!!
Derek
Hi Amy, One suggestion I have been told is that the trainer should be a part of the classroom and not just a fixture standing in the front of the class. If a participant gets that glazed, ready to snore, look the instructor should move toward the sleepy person and touch them gently on the shoulder while talking directly to him or her for a minute or two. Another thing to keep in mind is the 90/20/5 minute rule. Bob Pike tells us that can listen and understand for 90 minutes at a time, but they will probably retain only 20 minutes of what they hear in that time frame. Five minute breaks every 20 minutes is a good practice. Adult learners have a lot going on, so it is possible a sleeping person has other issues. I am never for calling someone out, but if they start to snore or drool, that might change my mind! Hope this helps! Cindy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bobpikegroup.com/articles_view.asp?articleid=80080&columnid=6253
Oh Amy, that's hysterical and serious at the same time!
ReplyDeleteMy thought is to address this issue up front during your first class when you're going over housekeeping items. I would say something about class participation being a certain percentage of their grade, and you will take notice if someone falls asleep in class, as they might as well just be absent. I wouldn't actually change their points, but I would make a note, and if someone had a pattern of this, I would privately counsel with them. I don't know about what a teacher can do in this regard, but it would certainly appear that a chronic sleeper should not get the same participation points as others who managed to stay awake and do their best to pay attention.
Sherry