Managing Difficult Students in Online Courses: 7 Easy Tips

Managing difficult students in online courses can be pretty tough—you probably never signed up to be a referee! Keeping everyone engaged and respectful through a screen adds a layer of stress that wasn’t there in regular classrooms.

The good news is, with just a few smart strategies, you can get things running smoothly again. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how simple steps can calm chaos, engage tricky students, and create a classroom vibe you actually look forward to.

Let’s jump right into tips on setting expectations, tackling tricky behaviors, and making technology your new best friend.

Manage Difficult Students in Online Courses

Dealing with challenging students can feel like a real headache, especially when teaching online where you can’t easily read body language or tone.

About 13% of students struggle to adapt to the online learning environment according to recent reports, which might explain why they’re acting out.

First, assess what’s causing the behavior—maybe the student feels isolated or anxious about the transition to virtual learning.

Once you identify the cause, initiate a friendly yet direct conversation through email or private messages to discuss their concerns openly.

An effective tip is to structure your lesson plan clearly because structured content helps keep students focused and reduces disruptive behavior.

If you’re unsure how, here’s a straightforward guide on how to write a lesson plan for beginners to get you started.

An organized lesson plan also saves you from frequent interruptions like students continuously asking what’s next or what’s expected of them.

Create a Positive Online Classroom Environment

An inviting online classroom lets students feel safe, comfortable, and ready to share their thoughts freely.

Statistics say that 11% of students feel there’s a lack of meaningful community in online courses, which can seriously affect student engagement and behavior.

Encourage discussion and friendly debates, but make sure to moderate them in a relaxed, informal tone—think friendly group chat rather than a tense formal debate.

Celebrate wins, even small ones, by shouting out student efforts during or after sessions, because just a little recognition can make a student’s day (and yours, trust me!).

Interactive platforms such as Slack or Google Classroom are handy tools to spark conversation and keep the exchange of ideas flowing naturally beyond scheduled classes.

You can also use quick games or collaborative activities to break the ice or re-energize the group anytime things feel stale.

If you’re not sure how to make these small activities effective, check these practical student engagement techniques that I’ve found really useful.

Set Clear Expectations for Behavior

People can’t meet expectations that they don’t know exist, simple as that.

Whether it’s your classroom policies, grading rubric, or participation requirements, clearly articulate them at the start of your course and revisit frequently.

I recommend sending a welcoming email combining warmth and clear boundaries—ideally something brief and approachable, letting students know exactly how you expect them to behave.

Be consistent and fair about enforcing your rules, because nothing ruins student respect (and your credibility) quicker than inconsistent application of policies.

List your behavioral expectations right in your course syllabus, and take a moment at the beginning of the course to walk through them.

Not sure how? Here’s a practical guide to creating an effective and engaging course syllabus that’ll cover all these behavioral guidelines clearly and positively.

Engage Students and Address Behavior Issues

Let’s face it, keeping students engaged online is not always easy, especially when distractions at home are just a click or a glance away.

Given that 18% of students express concerns about the quality of online teaching and available support, it’s even more important to proactively engage them from the get-go.

Regular check-ins help enormously—quick polls (“How’s everyone’s energy today?”), open-ended questions (“What’s your biggest takeaway so far?”), or quick quizzes designed with easy tips for creating quizzes for students can keep engagement high.

If a behavior issue pops up, tackle it early and kindly by reaching out through private messages rather than calling someone out during the class session.

If a student seems overly silent, disinterested, or even disruptive, ask open-ended, thoughtful questions privately: “Hey, what’s been your experience in class so far?” or, “Is there something specific making participation tough for you?”

Sometimes they’re acting up because they’re genuinely unsure how online lessons differ from their usual ones—clarify course structure and expectations through personalized guidance when you can.

Apply De-escalation Techniques

Inevitably, some situations online will get tense or heated—after all, even great teachers encounter conflicts now and then.

The trick is learning how to navigate these moments as calmly and humanely as possible.

If a student becomes argumentative or confrontational in a video call or chat, first take a breath and pause before responding; your calm and respectful demeanor sets the tone for everyone.

Listen actively and reflect back (“I understand why you’d feel frustrated about this situation”), because validating feelings helps bring down barriers and reduces tension immediately.

Never blame or accuse during tense interactions—simply restate your class expectations and ask politely to continue the discussion privately if necessary.

If things become truly heated, remind the group that harmful or disrespectful comments aren’t welcome in the class environment, then proactively redirect the conversation back to the main lesson point.

Use Technology Effectively in Online Learning

You don’t have to become a tech wizard overnight, but knowing your way around common technology tools can make your classes smoother and more engaging for all.

With virtual school enrollments rising sharply—from 293,689 in 2019-20 to 590,267 in the 2020-2021 school year—figuring out how to use technology to your advantage is more necessary now than ever.

Keep things straightforward; choose proven platforms like Zoom or Google Meet for hosting interactive lessons that are user-friendly and widely familiar to students.

Master basic features: muting/unmuting microphones, screen-sharing for presentations, and breakout rooms to encourage smaller group discussions and collaborative work.

Pro tip: record your lessons if allowed, letting students revisit content whenever needed, especially great for learners who sometimes drift off or encounter connection issues.

For video creation tips that boost learning, check out this handy resource on making educational videos effectively.

Provide Access and Support for Students

Not all students have the same tech skills, internet speed, reliable devices, or home situation—recognizing this uneven playing field helps you better tailor your support.

With only about 47% of faculty receiving formal online training, it’s understandable students get frustrated if they feel their needs aren’t considered or can’t be properly addressed.

Survey your class early on—privately and respectfully, of course—and ask if anyone needs more time or additional help accessing content or using specific tools.

Set aside dedicated “office hours” online, where struggling students can drop in virtually for one-on-one guidance or clarification.

Provide alternative formats (think downloadable PDFs, captions/subtitles on videos, or notes transcripts) when possible, making your materials accessible no matter someone’s specific learning style or tech limitations.

And speaking of resources, comparing options and choosing among reliable online learning platforms can minimize hurdles students face—explore how to smartly compare online course platforms for the best results.

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