Sunday, January 27, 2013
TEFL and ICT
master
Homework
assignment
Pr. Naima Ttimasse
Episodes: discipline problems
Analyzing episodes
Episode1:
The problem
in this situation is the rude answer given by Terry when he was asked by her
teacher to read the passage. This impolite reaction from the part of Terry can
be ascribed to the fact that the teacher exclusively picked Terry to read out
the passage without taking into accounts neither his readiness nor his attitudes
towards the passage.
The teacher
could have avoided such problem by asking for volunteers who are ready to read.
The teacher could have also avoided such problem by his prior knowledge to his/her
students' personality; knowing that Terry hates reading, the teacher could
resort to indirect strategies to stimulate him to read, rather than directly
addressing him in front of his classmates.
However,
supposedly this problem happened, what is the best way to deal with it? This is a quite difficult question.
Personally speaking, I will order him in a calm firm voice to take his things
and leave the classroom so as to save my face in front of other students and to
put an end to any similar answers. Yet, pedagogically speaking, I would advise
the teacher to neglect the student's sarcasm with a nonverbal firm look towards
him, ask for another volunteer to read, continue the course (as long as the
student in question doesn't hinder the learning of others), and then deal with
the misbehaved student at the end of the session in a respectful manner.
Episode
2:
Since many
students are not attentive, I assume that the cause of the problem is that the
students didn't find the story interesting. Moreover, the situation got
worsened when the teacher disregarded the noise and tried in instead to talk to
the ones listening to her.
To prevent
such problems, the teacher could have given students responsibility to choose
the story which interests them; by doing this, students will show more
interaction, enthusiasm, and engagement. Adding to this, the teacher could have
prevented the chaotic situation by addressing the troublemakers in a firm
manner from the very beginning.
Once the
problem had arisen, I advise the teacher deal the noise instantly, and to
escalate if there was a need to do so. It will also be worthwhile to stop the
course for a while and firmly address the student, who is talking particularly
noticeably, in a commanding tone to stop taking and follow the course.
Otherwise, a gaze for four or five seconds can do the job.
Episode 3:
The problem
is caused by the student who hit the table with a very loud bang. Yet, the
problem may also be ascribed to the teacher who failed to deal with the
situation before it became more complicated.
To prevent
the problem the teacher should have engaged all students in the explanation of
the activity; for instance, he could have given the green light to start for
the ones who have understood while carrying on his explanation for the others.
Otherwise, the teacher should have given John the attention he was seeking at
the tapping stage, thus deal with problem and save the momentum of the class.
Once it had
arisen, the teacher is required to resort to the type of punishment which suits
the student personality. s/he can use different procedures such as minus points;
time-out; call the parents…
Episode
4:
The problem
is caused by the boy number 2 who rudely uttered a sarcastic comment. But the
root of the problem can be ascribed to the argument between the teacher and the
student number 1 over the thin book.
The teacher
could have avoided this problem by thinking twice before addressing the student
number 1 in front of his classmates. Making students lose face in front of his
classmates can result in destructive reactions from the part of the student
(one revengeful student can make a teacher's life miserable). Addressing the
student 1 before their classmates made the teacher on a complex situation as
the boy number 2 intervene to save his classmate from the embarrassing
situation and turn the "attack" by making fun of the teacher. In
addition to this, the prevent the problem the problem could have been prevented
by preserving the classroom momentum, the teacher could have postponed his
discussion about the thin book at the end of the course.
Once the
problem had arisen, what could be done? As far as I’m concerned, I don't think
that any student can dare utter such offensive comment if the teacher took the
necessary proactive measures e.g. (establishing rules, being firm, strong
personality, adequate punishment…). As we said in the first session of our
class, the teacher ought to develop proactive ways to prevent problems from
occurring in the first place. Having done this, no student could provoke the
teacher in such underestimating manner. Anyway, if such behavior took place,
the best way is to send the student out, and then the teacher needs to take
further measures with him (eg.call parents). After that the teacher needs to try
to spot attention towards the student by encouraging him to participate and
perform activities, because the student former behavior reveals that the latter
is seeking attention.
by: Omar Taky-eddine
