Teachers: Do you teach to just a few students, or everyone in the class? (college, elementary school)

[Weekend Traveler]

As I have stated in other posts I teach at a local college and a trade school program in their certificate program (as well as acting as a HR Manager for a large Company).

Anyway, the teaching side of my career is the most challenging and rewarding. When I first started to teach ten years ago I was convinced that I would connect with every student and give them all this information that would change their life. How naive I was! Most of the students in the classes I teach in the evening originally had no interest in attending my courses but had to because it was part of the program.

No matter how interesting I am and how polished my presentation is, or innovative my teaching approach can be- it seems like maybe half of the students are not really interested in what I have to say. Should I basically put my attention towards the students who appear engaged and participate in class or work even harder to try to convince those problem students to listen and be engaged? I am afraid if I put to much attention towards the disinterested students the people who are engaged will not get all the information. Teachers: what is your approach?

[Sudcaro]

The thing is: having 100% students interested in what you teach is almost impossible, even if you are the best teacher in the world (though it's hard to tell what a good teacher is - you will be good to some students, and a good for nothing to others).
Being a teacher myself, I tried all I could to get my students to listen and take part in the lesson - but there were always students who could not care less... But never, ever show any indifference towards the students who don't (seem to) pay attention. Treat all of them the same way, otherwise it could make things worse!

[oldenfatt]

Teach to the middle 50%. The ones at the top will get it anyway, bless 'em; the ones at the bottom never will. If you spend too much time with the bottom you lose the rest.

[Huckleberry3911948]

its not about teaching it about not getting assaulted. but probably from what i have heard impartial treatment and attention seems to be the demand.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

As I have stated in other posts I teach at a local college and a trade school program in their certificate program (as well as acting as a HR Manager for a large Company).

Anyway, the teaching side of my career is the most challenging and rewarding. When I first started to teach ten years ago I was convinced that I would connect with every student and give them all this information that would change their life. How naive I was! Most of the students in the classes I teach in the evening originally had no interest in attending my courses but had to because it was part of the program.

No matter how interesting I am and how polished my presentation is, or innovative my teaching approach can be- it seems like maybe half of the students are not really interested in what I have to say. Should I basically put my attention towards the students who appear engaged and participate in class or work even harder to try to convince those problem students to listen and be engaged? I am afraid if I put to much attention towards the disinterested students the people who are engaged will not get all the information. Teachers: what is your approach?

Since you teach to college students, teach to those who are interested and forget the rest. They're adults and if they don't care about their educaitons, it's not your issue. If they want to goof off in a class they paid for, they'll learn an expensive lesson.

By the time kids get to college, it's time to stop coddling them. Either they do the work to succeed or they don't. The choice and consequences are theirs.

[ccnj]

I think there is a big difference between teaching at the college level and teaching, let's say, elementary school. I teach 4th grade and while some kids are more interested in learning than others, I would never teach to only 50% of them. A teacher that does that should not be in a classroom.

Now, at the college level, I think it is up to the student to make sure they are learning. If they can't make it in college without being coddled, then perhaps college isn't the place for them.