How do maintain control in a classroom when your teaching people older than you?

Question

I'm teaching college students psychology, I'm 22, most of the students respond well there is just this one group men (30-45) that behave immaturely to other students name calling etc I'm attempting to put a stop to this. I've spoken to them before but it has only decreased the frequency and not stopped it.

Answer 1

Somebody got to be the student, the teacher that is teaching used to the student that she or he is teaching at the present.

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Teaching is not in age groups but by experience and respect.

It does not matter the age group being older, neither address that age group senario...just go ahead and teach the class.

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Older people are just grown up children...so it matters that they learn whatever they came to the class to learn and treat it as a good experience!

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The teacher should keep a firm face and not  be intimidated by older people, after all, older people should also know that they do not know everything, that's why they are in class don't you think?

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If the teacher looks into the eyes of others that are older and they feel intimidated, look away get a second wind, turn back to the class and keep teaching. Do what you do, no matter the age of the students...somebody needs to go sit down and learn from the teacher.

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This too shall pass...get over things, get over petty issues.

Stand there like a teacher, teach them and they will learn!

Maintain control as usual, go on as planned.

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Intimidation has too much control. If you're going to teach, you've got to have it in your bones and older people(nor younger people) will not get that out of your bones.

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Give them a loosing up when you start talking..." I'll be your teacher for the day(night) and I've come here to hear (their feedback)  you learn (participate), I'll stand here and you sit back and relax while we accomplish our goals here together."

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Then throw in the phrase..."This class is worth it all! "

(Education paid off, finally I get a chance to use it wisely

on such a wonderful group in this class such as yourselves).

Your smiles have made my day (night), I look forward to your participation, feel free to join in and ask questions as we go along. Let's begin....

(Operation was successful, for the doctor knew what she or he was suppose to do, the patient surived for she or he trusted the doctor to do what she or he does best)

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You teach because you have it in your bones and you love teaching...and students come to be taught by an experienced teacher...Older is not always wise...just teach the class.

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Teaching has a way of maintaining and holding attention when it is delivered as very interesting or as testing our wits.

Maintaining and control works hand in hand.

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Keep them interested and they will maintain and control themselves...your job will be then easy...

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How do I know? I have been mistaken many times for a teacher, I do teach through wisdom and through my God given gift of poetry.

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Older or not, I know what I know, and I do what I do! (Poetry) If God has given it to you, man cannot stop you, only hinder you!

It's up to you to go on as planned.

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Throw your line out a little further, the big fish are a little further out, and you have to know how to reel them in, one at a time, younger and older...Ms or Mr Teacher, teach on! Always!

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God will give you the grace to face older people they will maintain and control themselves because first of all they are older, you just act wise and they will follow your lead. Hope this helps!

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Answer 2

Are you less than usual high school age, or are we talking about college or university?  If the latter, "maintaining control" is rarely a problem.  I started teaching at 25 and had graduate students in their 40s.  I acknowledged that there were probably things that they knew that I did not, but reminded them that they had chosen to take this class because they wanted to learn, and I had a Ph.D. in the subject matter.  I never had anyone complain that I was too young or inexperienced.  

If, on the other hand, you are an eight-year-old middle school teacher, you could be in some trouble, and you may need other teachers to let the students know how special you really are.

Answer 3

Establish early on that you know what you are teaching and don't hesitate...

Once you have established your level of knowledge on the subject  the age difference will vanish as your audience is more interested in the info given than the person giving it...

Answer 4

Really need to know what you are teaching and where.

Assumptions: an evening college class taught by a young instructor.

Give daily quizzes and grade them fairly but honestly.  After you send back several F's they will get the message.

EDIT BASED ON ADDITIONAL INFO:

Spend the first 5 minutes of the next class going over grading.  Place the formula on the board, e.g.

-25% daily quizzes

-25% midterm exam

-25% final exam

-25% classroom participation (call on volunteers and non-volunteers)

After class quietly explain to your "group" that the 25% classroom participation starts next class.  If the garbage they think is funny continues that will result in a zero for that part of the grade.

Copy the department chair on your notes for the class and tell the "group" you did so.

Good luck and don't take any garbage from these clowns.

Answer 5

I would say establish the fact that you are the expert with your mannerisms and the way you speak and they will listen automatically

Answer 6

hmm thats an interesting question you might want to mention the principle and you could say i can be "the nice teacher" or "the bad teacher"

Answer 7

Are you teaching a class that is graded?  If so, remind the class of how they will be graded.  Perhaps a small percentage of the grade should be for classroom participation and cooperation.  You always have the option of asking an unruly student to leave the class.

Answer 8

All of my students are younger than me, but they sure think they know more than I do.  ;-)

If I were in your shoes, I would start by dressing very professionally.  Make sure verything about your appearance is always neater and more formal than them.  Have neat, clean, sharp clothes, well maintained hair, clean shoes, etc.  

Also make sure you have well organized materials -- such as papers, files, boards, desk, etc.  Your handouts should always be word processed and have no spelling, grammar, or typographical errors.  

If possible, minimize your use of a white board / chalk board.  Instead, use overhead transparencies that come from word processed pages or use PowerPoint on a computer connected to an LCD  projector.

If you need their attention, calmly say "Ladies and Gentlement, I need your attention, please."  Repeat as necessary, always in a calm voice.  Wait for them.  They'll get the hint quick.

If they are being rowdy, try saying something like this:  "You are all adults, and you will be responsible for the material I have planned to present today.  If you do not allow me to teach all of the material, you will still be responsible for learning it."

Consider appointing a seargent-at-arms to help you with keeping the class under control.  Carefully select someone who is popular in the class, and has at least a hint of a  desire to learn.

Answer 9

Take control from the start.  I have this issue with one class now, and it is not an issue at all.  The students accept the fact that they are not know-it-alls, that is why they are in class.  The fact that I am younger than some doesn't seem to hinder their drive to learn more.  If you are teaching at a nursing home and "students" are forced to be there against their will, good luck with that one no matter how you slice it.  Do your best to make it interesting and keep the attention of those who are listening.  I think you can still ask an unruly student to leave, even if they are 80 years old.

Answer 10

Plan your lesson in chunks, allow time for students to use the skills and then answer questions about applying the skills. Older people are generally more serious and motivated to learn. I think the biggest help is to have a syllabus laid out and develop some solid communication lines for students that need help.

Answer 11

If you know your subject and are professional, older students will follow. If you act too chummy, or don't really take them seriously, you will learn some very hard lessons.