Carnegie Mellon University

Eberly Center

Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation

Students behave rudely in class

Students behave rudely in class

To find the most effective strategies, select the reason that best describes your situation, keeping in mind there may be multiple relevant reasons.

Students and instructors have different expectations about classroom etiquette. (prior experiences, culture, disciplinary culture)

The anonymity of the class reduces civility.

Students are confused, bored, or frustrated with the course.

There is no penalty or consequence for rude behavior.

Students are intentionally challenging the instructor’s authority.

Individual students have emotional/psychological problems.

This site supplements our 1-on-1 teaching consultations.
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