Classroom Management


Situation: My Project Management class has a computer lab one hour a week. Students have full internet access, much like this class. Many students are on facebook, watching videos or gaming. Some are actively involved in their neighbors distractions.

My response: When I am instructing or demonstrating, I demand their attention, often reminding them of the need to be respectful of me and maintaining a healthy learning environment for others. As a new instructor, I didn't monitor the situation, other than the occasional walkthrough (I am now aware that I can view all stations on the master console). I figured that during their lab time they could waste their time if they so chose, but eventually other students complained about the distractions. Peers in my department suggested projecting content from students to embarrass them, but I never went to such measures.

Question: How do you keep students focused on task in a computer lab?



Inquiry Presentation Comments



Heather & Kim
Liked: Great job! Journey was well documented. You worked exceptionally as a team. Handoffs in commentary were smooth and interesting. Sense of fun and adventure conveyed.
Suggestion: Maybe include negative experiences (if any). Pitfalls to avoid?

Emile
Liked: Enthusiasm for subject.
Suggestion: Try to speak louder.

Adam
Liked: Presentation was very detailed and clearly developed.
Suggestions: Focus more on personal journey. Share more of your own experience

Terry & Blair
Liked: Animated presentation was awesome
Suggestions: Technical preparedness

MichelleL
Liked: Very comfortable presenter - good modulation and articulation.
Suggestions: Start Late (I missed most of the presentation - sorry) :-)

Leila
Liked: Admitting challenges (bobbin), straight edge
Suggestions: None

MichelleM
Liked: Good presentation - well organized.
Suggestion: Don't be afraid to show more emotion. I often fish for cats and I know how exciting it is to land a big one.

Frank & Albert
Liked: Videos - Conveyed your learning experience as a fun adventure.
Suggestions: Try to avoid long texts in presentation - a bit overwhelming

Natalia
Liked: Personal focus. Very honest.
Suggestions: Your fine engagement with class when speaking from front is broken with too much movement back to the computer to switch slides. Maybe using a remote mouse would help slow your movement down. . . or just stay near the computer.

MikeM
Liked: Comfortable, easy going rapport. Engaged with subject. Hope you continue.
Suggestions: Could have stronger conclusion.

Alan
Liked: Good humor. I liked the clean slideshow (no text). Drawing in other student presentation content.
Suggestions: None

MikeF
Liked: Honest and upfront. Great determination, like a bull - wish you had joined me yesterday to fix my trim.
Suggestions: None

Jeff
Liked: Good story-teller with humor.
Suggestions: Stronger conclusion


Student-Centered Presentation Comments


MichelleM

Liked: Clear and well organized. Good Luck!

Terry
Liked: Nice graphics, very complimentary. Your passion and dedication really shines through your speaking. I appreciate all of your comments throughout the week. I'd like to take a class with you.
Suggestion: Learning Outcomes

Blair
Liked: Very innovative and ambitious. Good Luck!
Suggestions: Split compound learning outcomes into two separate outcomes.

MichelleL
Liked: Great presenting style, lots of contact with class. Bright and clear.
Suggestions: None

Natalia
Liked: Prezi - effective way to present material. Communication is clear.
Suggestion: Turquoise subheadings hard to read - use bolder color for more contrast

MikeF
Liked: Nice Prezi - I'm going to try it. Practical approach

Emile
Liked: Big improvement on speaking volume.
Suggestions: Learning outcomes

Frank
Liked: Relaxed confident style.

MikeM
Liked: Very informative.
Suggestion: provide gravol for presentation :-)

Albert
Liked: Good discussion on choice. I can apply some of your experience in graphic design to engineering design.

Leila
Liked: Great ideas and very well organized presentation. Communication is clear and enthusiastic.
Suggestion: Learning outcomes are more like assignments.

Alan
Liked: Enjoyed hearing about past successes. Dedication to quality education is evident. Thanks for all the posted links throughout the class.

Jeff
Liked: Great ideas. Best of luck!