Center for Teaching and Learning

Promoting Student Success: What would YOU do? Discussion

 

  1. You notice a tense and unpleasant exchange between two students in the rear of your class. One student, who uses crutches, is standing and the other student, a large individual, is seated at the only table and chair. The seated student gets up abruptly, angrily moves, stands in the back near the door, and within a few minutes, leaves the room. This person returns after class to explain to you that the desks are too small for a large person, he/she has paid for the course, and wants to sit at the table on a chair. You:
    • a. Tell the large student to go on a diet.
    • b. Suggest that this person arrive earlier to class next time and not move when the student using the crutches requests the table and chair.
    • c. Remind the person that the class is only 50 minutes and suggest that he/she squeeze into one of the desks for that short time period.
    • d. Recommend the person contact Disability Access Services and inquire about making arrangements for special accessible furniture.


      DISCUSSION

      The classroom provides an opportunity for learning interpersonal skills as well as academic content. The role of the faculty is to create a safe environment where views can be expressed in a respectful way. It is important, then, to lay ground rules for discussions. Students can be engaged in the creation of the classroom atmosphere by providing suggestions for the ground rules. Once these ground rules are developed, they can serve as a safeguard in discussions because students can be referred to those ground rules when needed. Some students may need to be educated about the impact of their statements in a nonjudgmental way because they may not be aware that their statements are offensive to others. A referral to Student Conduct and Community Standards may be appropriate if restating the ground rules and meeting to educate the student do not result in behavioral change.

      Back to Quiz

       

      ctl