question
How do you deal with students who have no real ability to "want" to learn - they simply wish it to be handed to them on a silver platter?
How do you deal with students of lower socioeconomic lifestyle such as the ones I deal with on a daily basis?
I have students that really apply themselves & do great but then I have students who are "hit & miss" - sometimes they do good & other times they don't? And when they don't - then Im made to look like the bad person in all of this....
Hi Debbie, Thanks for your post to the forum and for sharing that story. I know that we all encounter students like that and it is disheartening. We strive to motivate all ourstudents but sometimes it just doesn't happen. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I understand the motivation to learn is intrinsic, but I do believe that we can develop that internal motivation as teachers...at least plant seeds that may motivate that student who is not interested in learning.
For example, I had a student who was very unmotivated to read the text, do the assignments, and do any preparation before they gave a speech (This student enjoyed the impromptu speech idea more). This was disheartening to me, but I knew the challenge was on to find at least one way to motivate this student. Dangle a carrot if need be...I introduced having all the students journal each day in speech class. I proposed different questions each day to get a good assessment on how the class and individuals were doing.
One effective question was: What would you like me to continue doing in class, stop doing in class, and start doing in class? The student who was unmotivated used the journal method to have an indirect conversation with me and I was able to give a personal reply to their insightful journal entries and apply something they would like me to stop doing in class, which actually was a good thought and I agreed with them.
The final grade of that student did reflect the overall lack of motivation, and towards the end of the course they came up to me saying "They wanted me to know they were not a bad person, just because they did not do the work." I distinquished the seperation of their personality and their motivation to learn, maybe I was a bit strong, but I understood they were not a bad person in who they were, just bad at being motivated to learn...they were going down a path that if they did not get motivated to learn while in college, than an employer will pick up on that lack of motivation and they may not be given an interview, or a promotion in the future.
Hi Kenny, More instructors should take the time and effort to have those important conversations!! Great work! Susan
Susan Polick
There will always be the one student who has no interest in learning. As much as you try, if they really do not want to learn, they will not learn.
That being said, I think that almost everyone wants to learn, and when they are not learning, there is some reason behind it. A face to face conversation can usually get to the root of the problem.
I recently had a student who was not engaged in the learning process, so after talking to the student, the real reason was that he was looking to be challanged.
That is the same thing i try to do basically,like you said-it works some times.
Hi Tina - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are obviously a very empathetic instructor! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think talking to the student on a one on one is a good idea and explaining to the student how they can benefit from learning the material. Also questioning the student as to why they enrolled in the class. what they expected to gain from enrolling in the class and also to find out if their are other issues that are going oni n their life which perhaps a counselor could address.
Hi Amanda - I really like your idea of reminding students of the goal they had when they enrolled!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I will have a one-on-one meeting as well. I will praise them for what they are doing well, then try to come up with a plan to improve what is hindering their education. I will have them right down there main reason for signing up for college at the beginning, ex. better job, more pay, etc. When they begin to struggle, I will remind them of that goal to draw them back in.
HI Daniel - Yes, it is important to engage in the "one-on one" with students who are falling behind! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have a one-on-one meeting with the student to try and find out why they are in class and what they hope to get out of it. If they really do not "want" to learn I explain what the consequences will be such as lower grades, not being prepared for the next level of classes or not being prepared for a new career. I will then do a follow up meeting to discuss if things are better or worse.
i agree, sometimes they just shut down
I've had those kinds of students also. At that point, I call on them more, get them involved and when they start to apply themselves, I try to give them praise. Sometimes it works, sometimes I'm not so lucky.
OMG!!!!!!!!!! I was in your situation once before! Because I have a passion for what I do I believe know one that what's to learn should be left behind! But then I must live in the real world! I get up there and teach and if that student choosen not to listen i would perfer that student to go home! But before I send that student home i give them a talking too!
BEST OF LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
