Is it soo hard to pay attention!!

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

I'm the teaching assistant for the Stats and Research Methods 2 class and I'm really starting to get irked by the students in it!!!
There about 4 out of 17 students that know what they're doing and don't really need my help, which I think is awesome. BUT when you're on the internet or sleeping in class or doing something else that hinders your attention in class and than expect me to get you up to speed because you didn't feel like paying attention during class is ABSURD!!! I have a few students who are like that and expect me to tutor them, during my free time, because they couldn't pay attention during class!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH It makes me INSANE!
I don't know what to do. As my job, I am required to help the students, but should I still help them if they aren't paying attention in class? Should I talk to the professor about it??
What should I do???!!!!!!!!

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Common occurance. In University, I found that usually only a quarter of the students actually listen in class. The others work on their computer, play games, do homework or whatever. Personally, I work better by reading the book than by listening to the teacher, so I do happen to drift away quite often during class - especially during Physics, where checking five pages or less does the same work as the teacher explaining for three hours.

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

You know what Shuri, if you can do that and understand the material and don't need the help of a TA that awesome!!!
But my point is that most of the students that are not paying attention during class have NO IDEA what we're doing and are sooo far behind!!! And that's what drives me nuts!!!!

RivaOni · Full English! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

i've always struggled to learn from a teacher and from books, what happened in my school days was i was given the basic knowledge and left to get on with it, and i found that much easier, then if i had a problem the teacher would help, giving me little hints and such and id have to figure the rest out for myself

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

All the TA here at my college are required to have office hours so that people can get help if they need it. If you feel like it, establish some and tell the students that they have to come to your office hours if they want help, and then spread the work around so that everyone feels helped. It'll be high-pressure for a bit, but you'll be better off in the long run.

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

While that is a good idea Silver, I sort of have the same thing. I have non office office hours. And still the same couple of people come to me for help and still don't pay attention and don't even put forth any effort!!! Or they ask for help and they say they'll come during my times and never show up!!! And I don't even get a call or an e-mail!

Maybe this is all preparing me for being a teacher. Who knows

Ultrawolf · Mr. Roarke Gender: Joined: 04 Jul 2003

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

Yeah, well I want to be an elementary school teacher and teach 2nd or 3rd graders, so I don't think I'll have the same kind of problems, but probably stuff like this could happen.
I love kids and can't wait to be a teacher!!!

Therin · Gloompf. Iggle! Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

Therin's got it - the people who aren't trying are making bad decisions on their own.

Stick to your office hours, except in emergencies - train them now that they can't just try to run roughshod over you. And if they're not making progress, then have them work with classmates as well.