Strategies for Successful Teaching

Promoting more effective teaching and learning

Eliminate (or at least reduce the number of) discipline problems by realizing issue behind the behavior and empathizing

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Julie Dodd

by Julie Dodd

“How do you deal with discipline problems?”

That was a question I was asked when I led a session at the University of Florida’s orientation for new teaching assistants.

That’s not a question that is limited to new instructors. Those of us who are experienced teachers deal with discipline problems, too.

One of the keys to dealing with discipline problems is trying to prevent those problems in the first place.

That’s what drew me to David Kirp’s New York Times article “Don’t Suspend Students. Empathize.” The article deals with student disclipline at the K-12 level, but the heart of the issue is relevant in higher ed, too. Continue reading →

Discipline problems in college classrooms: Strategies on how to avoid or address

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Julie Dodd

by Robert H. Wells
Ph.D. student, University of Florida

Robert H. Wells

Discipline is a concern for all college instructors at some point in their career. Having an idea of some common discipline problems, as well as possible solutions to them, will help mitigate the problems when they occur as well as help instructors reduce the anxiety they may have about disciplining students.

Four common types of discipline problems are: academic dishonesty, attendance, distracting behavior and aggression.

This post will focus on the latter three, as academic dishonesty is discussed in a separate blog post. At the University of Florida, academic dishonesty must be taken seriously and reported to Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, a part of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Continue reading →