Completely off the top of my head: Since it sounds like you've got pretty good classroom dynamics, but a soft voice and a big class, how about using a whistle, like in camp? Blow the whistle when it gets too noisy or one person is addressing the class but can't be heard. Just a thought
Charlotte >Hello all, > >I know the list just had a good discussion on this issue, >but thought I'd share an experience that happened in my >class this morning. This is an Intro Psychology course with >about 310 students, and I've only been teaching for just >over 2 years now. But, I've also had small classes, >as low as 50, and in the case of one high school section, >only 12. The noise factor and classroom management obviously >becomes more of a problem the larger the class. > >Now, for this particular class, only into our sixth meeting now, >I've noticed the problem getting worse, that is, general classroom >noise. My requests to reduce the noise level in class seem to be >having less and less of an effect. Part of the problem I know is >me, as I'm fairly soft-spoken and do not present a very threatening >presence. > >I've also noticed that classroom chatter seems to increase >during periods of class discussion, when lecturing stops, and students >are answering questions, and discussing a particular issue that I've >presented to them. Several times today I had to ask the class to quiet >down so that I could hear the student talking. Finally, after doing >this about 6 or 7 times, one student at the back of the classroom stood >up and asked to speak, although not to me. He politely reminded the >class that he had paid a lot of money to take this course, and said >that he could not hear a thing that was being said in class, which >resulted in applause and cheers from a large number of students. >After that, the room was silent. But, again, I'm certain the problem >will continue. > >Now, I'd hate to eliminate the open classroom style >and discussion and debate by presenting students with so many notes to >take that they won't have time to talk to one another? Or, perhaps I >could employ this same student to make casual reminders like today >when the need arises?! > >Again, I know there were some excellent suggestions already made prior >to this on this list, but if anyone else has any other suggestions >or advice on handling noise in large classrooms and classroom management, >I'd love to hear them! > >Regards, >Mike Lee > >Department of Psychology >University of Manitoba >Winnipeg, MB, Canada > > >--- >You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- =============================================== Charlotte F. Manly, Ph.D. Psychological & Brain Sciences Assistant Professor 317 Life Sciences Bldg ph: (502) 852-8162 University of Louisville fax: (502) 852-8904 Louisville, KY 40292 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.louisville.edu/a-s/psychology/ http://www.louisville.edu/~cfmanl01 USE 40208 ZIP CODE FOR FEDEX --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
