Dealing with a student's negative outlook on the course.
How do other instructors handle a student that expresses a very negative outlook on the course and its content from the very first day and throughout the term?
I make it a point to show relevancy! That is what the student is lacking...the WHY! Every opportunity I can seize I make sure that the student identifies with the course content and it's relevancy. I pound that point into the individual until he/she comes to me and says...'I get it now, thank you!'
Hi Beverly,
It sounds like you have given this student a real good talking to. Try getting the DOE involved or a staff/faculty memeber she has a good rapport with.
Patricia
I explain that she doesn't have to LIKE the course and projects, but that the knowledge she gains from the course will apply to her employment after graduation.
Eventually told her that "can't" is not acceptable - she can tell me that she doesn't like or has problem with a technique, but must be willing to try and do her best.
Hi Paul,
It really helps to find out why the student is so bitter. Sometimes just putting things in perspective for the student will resolve the problem.
Patricia
First you need to find out "where the student is coming from" socially, then look for your "in" to find the hurt that they are holding on to and work with and show them how to deal with it and you will see the change almost instantly
I first try to determine the cause of the negative outlook (personal, hearsay,etc), pull them aside,one on one, and then I take the students response into consideration and I begin to give them the positive side of the field I try to connect a past personal, yet professional experience from my life, and I always offer them some type of feedback to get them motivated or atleast seeing a more positive side of the course. I also try too make sure that I handle these types of situations as soon as possible so that it doesn't affect the other students.
I have the same issue with technical students and a 101 Math course. My comments were the questions are phrased using real working examples and the course, although mostly math, is designed to start the students down the road to real world issues and results. This worked very well with older students who have been in the "real" world.
Hi Shani,
As instructors, we need to try to find out why the student is so negative so that help can be provided, if possible.
Patricia
I agree. I think you have to get the students engaged in the learning by trying to tie the negative students into the discussion otherwise the negative students can influence the outlook of other students in the class. You don't have to try to be their friend in order to express an interest.
Hi Jim,
Sometimes it is just hard to make students see the positive in a course if they think it is a waste of time. As instructors we must continue to be upbeat and optimistic. Encouraging our students a must, but at times we have to make it plain to them as you stated in your last statement.
Patricia
My classes are part of a cirriculum that many believe as a waste some listen to friends who tell them they will never need this class. We try to tell the students and show the students the course was written with advise from those that will hire them and pay better wages. The contractors that will talk to you want you to know the material. If you are hired you may not use all of this material for years. I have had a former student doing a refresher class, as he was saying how smart it was to take the class, present students were discussing how they do not need this bleep.
If all fails, I tell them if they made such a bad mistake it is time to be an adult either "gut it out" for a few more weeks or cut your losses and show by "taking a walk".
how about if a student has already taken the class before but failed the class? I've seen student on the second go of a class treat it as if they are better than everyone because they already taken the class, or feel that they dont need to be there because of the same issue.
I just work with that student individually after each lesson or lecture. I try to find out more about the student to see if I can apply any of their strengths to the course. I've had students come into a certain class with a preconceived hatred for a particular software program but after working with them and showing them how to utilize their strengths in the course they come away with an understanding of how the program can help them in their career.
Hi Jennifer,
You really try to figure out what is causing the negativity so that you can deal with it. Sometimes the negativity stems from outside issues.
Patricia
Hi Kary,
Whenever students are disrepectful and rude, have a private conversation with them, and if things do not change remove them from the class. Instructors should not have to tolerate rudeness and disrepect.
Patricia
Hi, Cicely -
Do you use psychomotor learning activities such as the paper airplane/team building suggested in this module in your English classes?
Are there other psychomotor activities that can be adapted to a required course like Ethics?
Carl
I try to give them the analogy of the melon and the pea. It is much easier to swallow a pea than it is to swallow a melon. In anatomy and physiology, a subject that nursing students tend to regard negatively, students who deal with each system, rather than try to figure out the workings of the entire human body, develop a more positive attitude toward the course.
I think there are just some students who have a certain expectation of things should be one way, and when it is not, they close their minds to other possibilities. I have tried many, if not all, of what we have discussed in this forum, and have still had a student be disrespectful and rude.
Hello Susan,
If the student remains to be negative after attempting to nip it in the bud, remove the student from the class. Negativity is contagious, it can ruin a class, and it is definitely not fair to the other students.
Patricia
