A nasty argument broke out during one of my first ever college classes between a squeaky, angry freshman and the teacher who would become the greatest professor I ever had. I don’t remember what started it, but Forsythe often rocked the boat, even while teaching basic English skills.
The student jumped out of his seat and began shouting, something about how Forsythe was trying to keep the black man down. The suggestion was ludicrous of a man who had played ball with and personally known Jackie Robinson in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization before spending time in Africa as a teacher for the Peace Corps. The squeaky one was put in his place and gradually disappeared from the background cast of my collegiate life.
I try to avoid scenes like this one.
That incident became the first in a series of classroom quarrels throughout this second half of my life spent on college campuses. (I could write a book on my mentor Dr. Madden). I would witness many more outbursts as a student before becoming a teacher. Now I’ve got a well-rounded perspective as the number of years I’ve spent in front of the room are equaling the time spent in those uncomfortable seats. I’ve gone against professors as a student and had students come against me as the professor. In between, I’ve seen plenty of students go at each other.
Some of this interaction is healthy and useful, some not so much. I often let the debate get heated when something productive is likely to occur. Any teacher of politics and government is going to see some fiery things in this contentious age in which we live. With so many dead and boring classrooms around, I’ll take liveliness as much as I can get it and often find ways to get students going.
Other teachers don’t always appreciate my “lively” classroom. They’re just jealous cause their students wish they were in our room. Sometimes these professors glare in my window. One lady walked down the hall to pull my door shut while shooting me the evil eyebrow. Others just find me in the hall to tell me what an “interesting discussion” they happened to overhear.
~*~*~*~
I’ve seen arguments flirt with getting physical in just about every year I’ve taught. Not good. Regardless of what type of room you find yourself in, here are the basic rules of classroom etiquette that every student (and teacher) should follow to avoid disaster and optimize the learning experience.
Civility? Jolly good.
1) Watch your language.
Everytime I get a student obnoxious enough to unleash a steady flow of vulgar language I hear from many others that such behavior must stop. I watch cringing faces as the obscenities begin and for good reason. It’s a classroom not a comedy club. This rule isn’t just about cursing either. Vulgar language includes all types of sexually offensive talk and more that kills the environment. If you need to be controversial and want people to hate you just get a job in government.
2) Be respectful of others.
Hopefully you’ve been told this by someone in your life. I teach in an urban setting with people from all over the world and every walk of life. Diverse classrooms are the best but you need to speak respectfully. Don’t announce that the Japs got nuked or “fags need to stop whining.” Yes, the quotes are there because I’ve heard it. Yes, there was at least one gay student in the room.
3) Don’t ask stupid questions.
Yes, there are stupid questions, more than you know. Students who ask useless questions over and over break the rhythm of the room. The teacher sees everyone else rolling their eyes because they just want to focus on the material and not be interrupted every 5 minutes for some non sequitur query or to show everyone in the room how smart you are. Which brings us to…
4) Don’t dominate the discussion.
Insecurity manifests itself in a number of ways. For students (and many teachers), showing everyone else how much you know proves something. The problem is that it doesn’t prove how awesome you are. Instead, the rest of the room just gets annoyed. More than once I’ve seen front row folks who really do know a lot turn around and tell the chronic talker to shut up. And don’t get me started on insecure teachers who love bringing students to their knees so the desperate learners will crawl to them. Obsessed with power much?
~*~*~*~
The syllabus or course outline is a contract. That document should lay out what will be provided by the instructor and what is expected in return. Maybe us teachers should include the above rules in our course outlines.
Don't be a know-it-all
Teachers should control, not dominate. Our job is not to teach students what to think but how to think. It’s hard to foster discussion and debate when you disagree or flat out see how wrong/evil/silly some arguments are but trust and credibility must be established.
I’ve been asked if I would deduct points because I disagree with the student’s point of view. It’s a shame that such a fear is often warranted as many teachers will go after students whose views differ from their own. That’s university lowbrow based on nothing more than fear and deceit, the complete opposite of what the academy should stand for. After all, the very word university is supposed to indicate finding unity among diversity!
That said, sometimes students do need to be shut down instantly and decisively, especially when they violate these major rules. I learned that lesson from Forsythe long before he explained gerunds and non-restrictive apposition. As a teacher, you can never show fear. Students at any level will sense that weakness in a second and pounce. Do what it takes to create a dynamic learning environment but remember that the cutting edge is sharp.
What other rules would you add?
I’d also love to hear your experiences of classroom craziness.
I was very disillusioned by my college experiences, at least in the classroom. As a semi-intelligent jock in high school, I had come to believe that college was filled with pipe smoking intellectual professors who could discuss the merits of Slaughterhouse-Five or Catch-22 all day with students then do the same all night with a glass of brandy in front of a fireplace. Half of my instructors didn’t answer questions and the other half intentionally baited students into “pissin Contests”.
I think there are a good number of teachers who seem afraid of too many questions or certain questions. The bottom line for everything has to be truth. If you care about finding the truth above everything else then you can examine everything honestly. If you are operating deceitfully then everybody loses something important.
Very good list. I’d only add something along the lines of ‘Make sure to question the argument rather than the person.” This is sort of an extension of #2, but I found it was something many students had trouble with.
And maybe, based on your conclusion, ‘Agree to disagree’? You’re absolutely right, students have reason to fear they’ll be penalized for differing opinions, and that’s a shame.
Great point. Our discourse would be so much better if we could shut out all the preconceived junk and just listen to what is being said. I’m also a big fan of agree to disagree which was one of the wrap up thoughts for Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People years ago.
I just started a four week gig in a classroom where there will be THREE faculty members trying to offer remediation to blue collar workers between the ages of 30 and 50 years old, none of whom have had any previous college experience.
They are much more spirited than my regular students, and I am thrilled to be part of this “experiment.” There are some BIG personalities in there that could benefit from reading this piece. I think some of the attitude is coming from a place of deep insecurity. Nevertheless, their liveliness was a great departure from some of my sleeper-classes. These people are invested!
I’ve taught many people in that age range. I love mixed rooms. For some reason, I had a real tough room this summer with a room like that. A whole group each thought they knew everything and should shout it from the chairbacks. That’s annoying enough when they actually have good points but horrible when everything they say become the new most ridiculous thing ever uttered. I’ve had problems with younger students too. This simple list is a good start at least. You’re right about taking the active over the dead. Always more interesting.
These are good guidelines for any interaction, not just classroom ones.
I only have one rule in my [Junior High] classroom: Don’t Annoy Me. It covers all of the above, plus a few others (like spit balls, walking on desks, rolling your eyes to try to find your brain…)
Is that what they’re doing with their eyes? Makes sense now. I’m convinced that junior high has to be the toughest gig in teaching. No one will ever accuse you of using work as an escape!
I liked this topic, so I chose to read it also after reading Fresh pressed article. Your writing flows and I have enjoyed it.
I am glad you reposted this. I have never witnessed an outburst like that. Although I have observed abusive teachers. Even though I went to Catholic school it wasn’t the nuns but a hip, handsome, long-haired, cool teacher who dished it out for a year before getting fired!! Gee maybe I should write about it.
He could have benefited from your list!
Sounds like a good story, and that’s always a cue to start writing!