# What am I supposed to do? \[Teaching related\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2012, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530 "2012-02-02T10:51:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/1 "2012-02-02T10:51:51Z")
I teachpart time at Law School. In my class I have a “couple” who see far more interested in each other than the lecture. Fair enough, I never paid attention myself. But, do they have to…go as far as they do? Its distracting and disrespectful, trying to explain some technical point of law, when half the class’s attention is on gyrating duo on the center. What would you guys do. \*Why it is my first year, why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/2 "2012-02-02T11:09:10Z")
I would stop talking and stare at them, along with everyone else. And when they finally realise, say, ‘Finished?’ then continue with the lecture as if nothing weird had happened. ---
**Author:** ![DanielBrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DanielBrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanielBrown)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/3 "2012-02-02T12:27:16Z")
^^ Exactly this. & if they continue doing the same, I will ask them to leave the class immediately. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/4 "2012-02-02T12:31:41Z")
They’re acting like kids, treat them as such. Split them up, or expel one or both if they continue to act in a disruptive fashion. Or let them get really hot and heavy, photograph it, profit. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/5 "2012-02-02T12:41:34Z")
Yeah, I think you have to do something. If I were a student in this class, I would find that disruptive as well, and would be praying the prof was going to say something. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/6 "2012-02-02T12:43:29Z")
Embarass the hell out of them. In the middle of a lecture start giving a blow by blow description of their ‘activity’. Or just say ‘get a room you two’. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/7 "2012-02-02T12:49:16Z")
Read up on the local statues on public indecency, and explain to the class _exactly_ what they are violating when. Add some hypotheticals. You’re still teaching law, but taking advantage of the opportunity and giving the couple a natural consequence. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/8 "2012-02-02T14:02:27Z")
I added “Teaching Related” to the thread title. — Ellen ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/9 "2012-02-02T14:14:17Z")
Are there lighting options in the lecture hall? Before class, can you have spotlights trained on their seats? If they start up, turn off the rest of the room lights and hit the spot lights. Hey, works for Blue Man Group Its just a shame the rest of the class can’t pelt them with condoms. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/10 "2012-02-02T14:22:37Z")
Bring in a music player loaded up with Barry White and provide a soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/11 "2012-02-02T14:36:51Z")
Absolutely embarrass the hell out of them. That’s just ridiculous. I like the idea of a blow-by-blow description, combined with discussion of legal issues. But that only works if you can do it completely dead-pan, without getting embarrassed yourself. Otherwise, I’d halt the lecture and stare at them until they stopped. Perhaps with a few pithy comments if they took very long about it. Or go and stand right over them and continue lecturing, loudly. Or just tap them on the shoulder and tell them to leave until they can control themselves. Or any of the suggestions already made. Whatever you’re comfortable with. The important part is to shame them sufficiently that they won’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/12 "2012-02-02T14:51:14Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Embarass the hell out of them. > [@redtail23](#): > > Absolutely embarrass the hell out of them. Yes. If they were sitting in the back of the room making googly eyes at each other or discreetly holding hands, that’s one thing. But “gyrating” in the “center” of the room? That’s distracting as hell. I’m surprised you didn’t tell them to take it into the corridor the first time. Where is your law school? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/13 "2012-02-02T14:53:56Z")
I’m actually quite shocked at the implication that you haven’t told them to stop. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/14 "2012-02-02T14:55:51Z")
I don’t see the need to embarrass them. It’s your classroom, just tell them to knock it off or leave. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/15 "2012-02-02T14:57:57Z")
Post-grads? Embarrass the hell out of them. Many of the above suggestions are spot on. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/16 "2012-02-02T15:11:28Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > I don’t see the need to embarrass them. It’s your classroom, just tell them to knock it off or leave. Exactly. You’re supposed to be in charge, right? So be in charge. If you start playing games you’ll be a bigger distraction than they are. Say to them (not in front of the rest of the class), “Mr. Smith, Miss Jones, your public displays of affection are inappropriate and I will not tolerate this behavior in my classroom. Am I understood?” If they persist, they are out of your class. Period. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/17 "2012-02-02T16:03:25Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > I’m actually quite shocked at the implication that you haven’t told them to stop. I have. Privately, after class. Worked for a whille. I actually thought about doing many of the things suggested here, but thought running it through dopers would be a good idea, dopers seem a decent bunch. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/18 "2012-02-02T16:15:47Z")
“Unless you’ve brought enough for the entire class. . .” ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/19 "2012-02-02T16:27:30Z")
You’ve had the private talk. Now’s the time for the public admonishment. “Mr. Smith, Miss Jones, I’ve asked you once already to behave like adults. If you continue with this behavior, I’ll be forced to remove you from the class.” Then stare at them until they drop their eyes and mutter their apologies, and go on with your lecture or whatever. Give a heads-up to whoever your supervisor is - Chair, Dean, etc. - that you have a potential situation, and get some feedback from them about what’s the procedure should the couple begin to engage in another episode of “Baby, Examine my Briefs.” ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530/20 "2012-02-02T16:27:49Z")
You’re the teacher, damn it. Your other students are totally losing respect for you, I promise, if you don’t say something. "This behaviour is not appropriate for a class room. Either take it elsewhere, or knock it off. If I have to address this issue again, you will be asked to leave the hall. Are we clear?’ And merrily on with your lecture. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-supposed-to-do-teaching-related/611530.md?page=2)