How Do We Deal with Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom?

Cynthia YuLanguage Center

Introduction

Disruptive behavior always presents problems in class.

We tend to discipline students and give warnings.

We hope that the said individuals will not repeat the actions in the long run.

Oftentimes, this doesn’t work. What do we do?

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Definition of Disruptive Behavior (1)

Charles (1999) defines misbehavior as "behavior that is considered inappropriate for the setting or situation in which it occurs" (p.2). Misbehavior is further classified into one of five different types: Aggression, immorality, defiance of authority, class disruptions, and goofing off.

Meyers (2003) classifies student misbehavior as being overt or covert. Overt behaviors are more open and observable and would include students talking during class, using their cellular phones, or eating or drinking noisily. Covert behaviors are more passive and include sleeping during class, arriving to class late, leaving class early, or generally acting bored and disengaged.

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Students’ disruptive behavior Taking control of

their computers in the lab classroom

Shouting Swearing/Using foul

language Cheating in the

exam Devaluing the teacher‘

s expertise and judgment

Fidgeting in seat Sleeping in class Acting bored or

disengaged

Coming to class late Talking on mobile

phone Eating and drinking in

class Forgetting to bring

their books to class Engaging private

conversations Interrupting lecture or di

scussions with off-topic information

The list can go on and on…

What about your students?

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Why did my students have disruptive behaviors? (1)

The problem students were mostly music majors. Based on their educational background, they could probably manage in small groups, but when they hit a classroom situation with almost 50 classmates, a lot of structure, and few choices, a lot of the behavior problems showed up. They couldn’t handle the kinds of rule impositions that a classroom involves.

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Why did my students have disruptive behaviors?(2)

They were still going through teenage rebellion and making the transition into adulthood.

Disruptive behavior was their way of getting more attention. Several students loved negative attention. I know they did those things to get me upset and made the class laugh. Their buddies thought they were cute when they did something to distract me from the lesson and I had to call them on it.

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How I handled it (1) Stopped whatever I was doing and waited for students to quiet down while I looked at the disruptive students. Asked the students to leave the classroom for that class period. Walked over to the talkative students and conducted class (proctored the exam) standing right next to them. A few times, I was so angry that I blew up. The classroom atmosphere was gloomy and depressing. I didn’t do anything because I didn’t know how to respond to some disruptive behaviors.

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How I handled it (2)

Later I learned my lesson:

Ignored those who disrupted class and directed my attention to others who were being appropriate.

Used more diverse techniques to reach the disruptive students.

Organized the students using routine procedures and assignments to keep them engaged so they would not be inclined to cause disruptions. (different tasks for listening and reading classes)

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How I handled it (3)

Talked with colleagues in the language center. How would they handle these situations?

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What should I do?(1)

Speak to the disruptive students after class or ask them to come to me during my office hours. Explain why/how I find them disruptive, find out why they are acting that way, ask them what they would be comfortable doing.

Deal with disruptions with as little interruption of my class momentum as possible. If I have to stop the flow of my lesson to deal with them, then I am robbing students who want to learn of their precious in-class time.

Sometimes all it takes is for everyone to have a good laugh to get things back on track in a classroom.

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What should I do?(2)

Don’t let it get to me. Don’t let students’ disruptions make my life miserable. Don’t blame or torture myself for students’ disruptive behaviors. It is not my fault. Keep in mind that they would do the same thing to other teachers. It’s nothing personal.

Confront the behavior, not the person. Don't assume that because Julie has disrupted my class every day for a week, she will disrupt it today. By doing this, I will not be treating Julie any differently and thereby setting her up to disrupt again (like a self-fulfilling prophecy).

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Let’s brainstorm in groups of three!

What are some disruptive behaviors in your classes?

Have you tried anything that worked in dealing with disruptive students?

This is the end.

Thank you for coming to this workshop and sharing your ideas.

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