Incivility in the Classroom
What is incivility in the
classroom?
Incivility can include a range of
behaviors and attitudes that the
individual professor finds
disruptive.
Causes
Incivility can reflect
socialization, immaturity,
misunderstood expectations,
hostility, or factors beyond
student’s perceived control.
Ironically, it can also reflect
student desire to communicate
with you on an individual level
about problems not addressed
elsewhere. The rusty wheel
gets the grease because it needs
it!
Effects
Incivility can be distracting for
both the professor and other
students.
Dealing with incivility
Incorporate either a moment of
silence or breaks for stretching
or talking.
Clarify expectations. Include a
syllabus section on “Negative
Class Participation” to explain
the grade penalty for disruptive
behavior.
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Talk with the student(s) outside
of class. Listen to student
concerns. Explain the effect of
the behavior on your teaching.
Emphasize that the problem is
with the behaviors and not with
the student.
Adjust pedagogy. Are you
teaching to only auditory/visual
learning styles? Incorporate
activities and discussion to
stimulate multiple learning
styles.
Incorporate ways for students to
express disagreement
constructively. Provide small
group activities or reflection
papers.
Adjust assessment. Embed
non-test assessments on
activities done during and
outside of class.
Remember, you are not alone in
the experience or in addressing
it.
If you sense that there are
broader problems or just want
more insight into classroom,
then contact the Center for
Teaching and Learning about
individualized classroom
assessment and intervention.
Just In Time - Faculty Series
was created for you by the
Center for Teaching and
Learning - Susan Weaver –
539-4325