salty_soul

It’s hard to believe that midterms are only a few weeks away.   The semester is going fast and most of my students are doing well.  One problem I have noticed is classroom chatter. 

 Elementary school students know not to talk while others are speaking.   In my classes I encourage discussion.  However it is unacceptable to have a conversation while I am lecturing or as a student is making a discussion point.    There’s a group in the back of Intro to Communications that I have had to ask to be quiet several times.  One of the talkers has a voice like a Quiet Storm DJ.   When he denies that he is talking. My response, is “you can’t whisper and your voice is very distinct.”  They assume I cannot see them because I teach the class from a low chair, so that I do not block the whiteboard.  However I’m tall (even in a chair) and I have ears too.     There’s a section of the room that is out of my line of sight.  I have to remind myself to swivel around and make eye contact with this side.  There was a chatter bunch developing in this area but calling them out once ended the conversations.  Now they are raising their hands and participating more.  Perhaps they were just trying to get my attention. 

Afternoon classes tend to be more animated.   In this class there are chatterboxes too.  I can’t blame it all on the time of day because the Comm. class is in the morning.    One of the same talkies from that class is chatting it up in Intro to PR too.  Today she was having a conversation with another student about something on her laptop’s screen until I told her to put it away.  Two talkers I silenced by asking them to leave. They apologized and have not been a problem since.  Another talker is in this class for the second time. You would think she’d be listening this time around. Maybe the third time will be the charm for her…

Saying a few words to the person sitting next to you is understandable.  But it is rude and immature to have a full on conversation during class.  “We’re talking about the work!” is not an excuse.  Raise your hand and join the classroom conversation, otherwise shut up!

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac