1. DIFFICULT LEARNER
Dr Faisal Al Haddad
Consultant of Family Medicine &
Occupational Health
PSMMC

2. INTRODUCTION
HAVE YOU EVER DEAL WITH
?DIFFICULT LEARNER

3. POSSIBLE REASONS
 The
teacher may be an excellent and successful
practitioner but have limited pedagogical skills
and teaching experience.
 The
learner may be underprepared for what is
being taught.
 The
learner may learn comparatively slowly .

4. POSSIBLE REASONS
 The
learner may be insecure, as manifested by
behaviors as disparate as hostility,
overconfidence, disorganization, or
dependence.
 Less
commonly, the learner may be impaired
by mental illness or substance abuse.

6. Types of Difficult Learners
Withdrawers
Arguers
Supertalkers
Monopolizers

7. Withdrawers
 Aloof,
quiet, and disinterested are words
commonly used to describe withdrawers.
 At
first glance, withdrawers may not display
inappropriate behaviors, but they're considered
difficult because they don't provide feedback to
help you gauge your effectiveness as a trainer.

8. Supertalkers
 People
who engage in side conversations or
monopolize class time are supertalkers.
 Their
actions distract both you and the other
course members.
 To
discourage supertalkers, establish guidelines
at the beginning of the course for example,
explain that you will give everyone an
opportunity to participate.

9. .Arguers

Proving that they know more than the trainer is the
favorite pastime of arguers.

Usually, they believe there's nothing a trainer can
teach them that they don't already know.

Uncooperative and domineering arguers like to
engage the trainer in time-consuming debates.

If you identify such a culprit, control your emotions. If
you consent to argue, you lose focus and credibility.

10. Monopolizers
 Constantly
trying to provide all of the answers.
 Monopolizers
think they have more knowledge
about the course content than anyone else in
the room, including the trainer.
 They
believe that they know enough content to
take over the class, and that's what they'd like
to do.

12. ?Dealing with Difficult Learner
Group 1
 Withdrawers
 Arguers
Group 2
 Supertalkers
 Monopolizers

13. ?WHAT WOULD YOU DO
A) Do nothing, and let the other participants deal
with the disrupter.
B) Dismiss class, pack your bags, and treat
yourself to a much-needed vacation.
C) Take a break, and ask the arguer whether you
can address his or her concerns before or after
class.

14. WHAT ARE THE MOTIVES
?BEHIND THESE BEHAVIORS

15. REFERENCES

A HANDBOOK FOR MEDICAL TEACHERS,
DAVID NEWBLE, FOURTH EDITION 1996.

DEALING WITH PROBLEM LEARNER,
NORMAN KAHN, Fam Med 2001;33(9):655-7

THE DIFFICULT LEARNER, QIANA CHARLES,
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TRAINING AND
DEVELOPMENT 2002.

17. THANK YOU