Sorry I am an early childhood educator and thus far my classroom consists of my one 4yr old son.

I think they need that reality check though, especially since they are preparing for real life.

Not familiar with US education system. How old are they?

I teach 19-20 year old. They can't leave because practicum is mandatory (if they want to approach the exam). My problem is that about a third of them went to the university just to get a student status and are generally uninterested in what I have to say. Luckily they only show up once or never, the beginning of the year is hard work, the rest is... Well, I enjoy in it.

This year will be unpredictable because we start with

As a student, I can say I really hate those f***ers too. They're the same ones who bug the people in the computer lab for info that they missed in class. The best teachers have quick witty retorts, to show who the real clown that needs laughing at is. I'm still working on that one.

I've told them no-one can leave early without prior arrangement. I made sure to handle that last week.

Part of the problem is that it's a pass/fail class (they know this part) entirely judged on whether they get an 80% on the final (I hope they don't figure this part out), so I don't have the option of deducting points and they know it. I thought about assigning more work, but the ones causing the problems are the ones who are likely to just blow it off.


Tej-tej, they're all 17 or 18, maybe a few 19 year olds. Fresh out of high school. Our program is mandatory as well, students in my class are already enrolled on a sort of probationary basis. Denying approach to the exam for disruption might be a good idea. I don't know how my supervisors would fell about it though. That means they would be back in the program next semester, and we're already swamped.

My dad is a veteran teacher. He told me I care too much for my pay level, and that I should just hope they decide to skip class. I'm thinking he might be right, even if it lowers my pass rate.


I appreciate the input everyone. I have some ideas about how to handle the situation, but it always helps to get new ideas.

I don't intend to teach for a living. Maybe after years of work if I get a doctorate. You're right, but you might misread the attitude a little. It's cynical, but if they don't show up, there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. I wouldn't do anything to discourage them from showing up, but the if guy in the back who doesn't want to stop talking is absent I'll be glad there's one less yammering mouth back there.

Generally, apathy isn't good strategy for job promotion though. Plus, I do hold a high pass rate as a goal.

why won't you kick the guy that speaking out of room ?

That's a good approach to remind them about long term goals, like how they would be expected to behave in a workplace environment.

I've taken Algebra, Geometry, Calculus and Trigonomotry classes and passed fine, but to this day I can't remember everything I learned. Thinking back, it would have stuck with me more, and I would have been more interested in it if my teachers would have given me real world examples of how that math could make me money. I know that seems greedy, but I know that math can help you manage your money, invest, and simplify your life if you actually know how to use it. I believe that if you give real world examples of how math will actually benefit the students as far as making them money so that they can buy iPods or whatever it is they crave, then they will be apt to pay more attention.

One of the better witty retorts I remember a professor using was in response to a student saying, "oh, now you've confused me."

The professor, without missing a beat, said, "I didn't confuse you Mr. Carbody. God confused you when He made you."