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Preventing and Managing Classroom Incivilities

Abstract Classroom incivility can be defined as a student behavior that interferes with the expected flow of the lecture or disrupts the learning atmosphere in the classroom. Examples include talk- ing in class, packing up early, arriving late, dominating discussions, making sarcastic remarks or gestures, asking argumentative questions, showing disrespect, and asking for extensions and missing deadlines.

This paper describes classroom management techniques which prevent student incivilities from occurring such as greater interaction with students, specific body language, types of lec- ture delivery, and behavior outside of the classroom. This article also gives advice on how to deal with these incivilities when they are happening. The author stresses that it is important to stay calm and respond immediately to any disruptive occurrence. Specific advice includes responding to disruptive students by walking over to them while still teaching, including dra- matic pauses and stares, and being stern with the students after the lecture. Direct intervention and public embarrassment are not recommended in this case.

1 Introduction Instructors try to create classroom environments that are conducive to learning. However, it is quite common to encounter disruptive student behavior which interferes with the learning atmosphere we are striving to achieve. Examples of classroom incivilities include: students talking with other students during class; students arriving late, leaving early, or even just packing up early; students showing disrespect toward the instructor or other students; students eating in class, acting bored, sleeping in class, working on an assignment for a different course, sending text messages on a cell phone; students making disapproving sounds, sarcastic remarks, gestures, and comments; students challenging the instructor’s knowledge or credibility, etc. Some students may also repeatedly ask for extensions on assignment due dates or try to pressure the instructor to postpone examinations. These examples may seem to be minor misdemeanors; however, they can have a potentially dev- astating effect on the instructor and students motivation.

Students learn better in an environment which is respectful, non-disruptive, and engaging. They tend to notice even minor classroom incivilities and are very affected by them. Even only one trou- blesome student can change the atmosphere of the whole class. Classroom incivility disrupts the learning environment of the class, hinders students involvement in learning, and causes tension. Classroom incivility can also negatively affect the instructor and may prove disruptive to his/her career. Bad teaching experiences early on may discourage the instructor from seeking more teach- ing assignments and even cause him/her to quit the profession entirely. Questions about dealing with disruptive students are one of the main concerns of new faculty. However, this topic is usually

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Miguel, A. (2009, June), Preventing And Managing Classroom Incivilities Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--4996