Navigating Disruptive Behavior

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NAVIGATING DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Disruptive Behavior

Disruptive behavior can hinder the flow of teaching, distract other students, and create an atmosphere of tension and discomfort. Addressing disruptive behavior promptly allows instructors to ensure that the classroom remains respectful and focused on learning. This enhances the learning experience and fosters community and mutual respect.

Navigating Difficult Classroom Situations

Dealing with disruptive behavior in the classroom requires a combination of proactive and reactive strategies. Start by setting clear expectations and rules for behavior for your class as a class policy. Feel free to refer to the Illinois Student Code. When disruptions occur, address them calmly and promptly. Use strategies like ACTION to structure your intervention. The office of the Dean of Students has additional resources on Responding to Threatening Student Behavior. Redirect the disruptive student’s attention back to the lesson or activity, and if necessary, speak with them privately to discuss their behavior and its impact on the class.

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Navigating Difficult Classroom Situation How-To's

Syllabus Statement for Classroom Behavior

To foster a positive and productive learning environment, all students must adhere to the following expectations and rules for behavior: Communicate respectfully with peers and instructors, focusing on ideas rather than individuals. Actively participate in discussions and activities to ensure all voices are heard and valued. Stay on topic during class and minimize distractions by silencing electronic devices. Arrive on time and remain for the entire class period, notifying the instructor if you must leave early. By following these guidelines, we show respect to the instructor and peers.
Strategies for Addressing Student Disruptions
Action
- Ask clarifying questions to help you understand intentions.
- Come from curiosity, not judgment.
- Tell what you observed in a factual manner.
- Impact exploration: ask for and/or state the potential impact of such a statement or action on others without putting anyone on the spot.
- Own your own thoughts & feelings about the statement’s impact.
- Next steps: Request appropriate action be taken.
HEART
- Hear what the student is saying
- Empathize with the student’s situation
- Assess what the student’s needs are
- Refer to campus resources
- Tell the appropriate campus official or department
Discussion Disruptive Behavior
Calmly explaining the specific disruptive behavior and how it impacted the class.

“Hi [Student’s Name], I wanted to talk to you about something that happened in class today. During our discussion, I noticed that you were frequently interrupting your classmates. This made it difficult for others to share their thoughts and for the class to stay focused on the topic.”

Listen to the student’s perspective:
1. Actively; make eye contact, nod, and use engaging body language.
2. Avoid interrupting: let the student share their perspective freely.
3. Reflect and paraphrase: "It sounds like you were frustrated because…".
4. Ask open-ended questions: "Can you tell me more about what happened?".
5. Recognize and validate the student’s feelings: “I can see that this situation upset you."
6. Stay calm and neutral and avoid judgment or criticism.

Following Up After a Classroom Disruption

Approach the conversation with empathy and clarity. Start your classroom disruption follow-up by calmly explaining the specific disruptive behavior and how it impacted the class. Listen to the student’s perspective and try to understand any underlying issues contributing to their behavior. Show empathy for the situation. Clearly outline your expectations for future behavior and discuss potential strategies to help the student meet these expectations. Offer support and resources if needed and emphasize your commitment to their success in the class. Finally, document the conversation to ensure there is a record of the discussion and agreed-upon actions.

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Following Up After a Classroom Disruption How-To's

Classroom Disruption Follow-Up
After a classroom disruption, an instructor should follow a structured process to address the issue effectively:
1. Private Follow-Up with the Student:
  1. Meet with the disruptive student privately to discuss the behavior and its impact on the class. Listen to their perspective and explain the expectations for future behavior. Offer support and resources if needed.
2. Class-Wide Communication:
  1. Address the class to acknowledge the disruption without singling out the student. Reinforce the established classroom norms and expectations and emphasize the importance of maintaining a respectful and productive learning environment.
3. Documentation:
  1. Document the incident and the steps taken to address it. This can be helpful for future reference and if further action is needed.
4. Ongoing Monitoring:
  1. Keep an eye on the classroom dynamics and the student’s behavior to ensure that the issue has been resolved and that the learning environment remains positive.

Student Feedback

Student feedback is crucial for growth and success in any course. It provides students with insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Constructive feedback helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning journey. Moreover, timely and specific feedback can boost students’ confidence and motivation, leading to better academic performance and a more positive attitude towards learning.

Here are some strategies for giving effective student feedback:

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Student Feedback How-To's

Oral Assessments
1. Be Specific: Highlight particular aspects of their performance, such as clarity of speech or the strength of their arguments.
2. Be Positive: Start with positive feedback before addressing areas for improvement to keep students motivated.
3. Encourage Self-Reflection: Ask students to reflect on their performance and identify areas they think need improvement.
Written Assessments
1. Use a Rubric: Provide a clear rubric that outlines the criteria for grading so students understand what is expected.
2. Be Detailed: Offer detailed comments on their work, pointing out both strengths and weaknesses.
3. Provide Examples: Show examples of good work to illustrate your points and help students understand how to improve.
Performance Assessments
1. Focus on Effort and Progress: Acknowledge the effort and progress made, not just the final outcome.
2. Be Timely: Give feedback as soon as possible after the performance to ensure it is fresh in the student’s mind.
3. Set Goals: Help students set realistic and achievable goals for their next performance to encourage continuous improvement.

By implementing these strategies, educators can provide meaningful feedback that supports student growth and success.

References

Bormann, I., Niedlich, S., & Würbel, I. (2021). Trust in Educational Settings—What It Is and Why It Matters. European Perspectives. European Education, 53(3–4), 121–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/10564934.2022.2080564

Disruptive Behavior

Navigating Difficult Classroom Situations

Navigating Difficult Classroom Situation How-To's

Action

HEART

Following Up After a Classroom Disruption

Following Up After a Classroom Disruption How-To's

Student Feedback

Student Feedback How-To's

References