Attention hungry, disruptive, unattentive. Treat them as the people you expect them to become, not necessarily at the level they currently are at.
The ones that get to me the most are the students that gripe and complain about everything but are not willing to do anything productive about it.
I find these students tend to rally other students into their cause even if the problem is just in their head or it’s really a non issue.
When possible I will try to clarify or explain things or debunk the complaints with out attacking them personally. If I cant I will try to get them to talk to the people in the proper department that can handle the issue.
However, often I find they are just complaining to complain or for attention from the other students so they don’t really want closure on the situation. If the perceived problem went away, then they wouldn’t get the attention from the other students any more.
I involve the students and review the material in a different way and use former association skills to enhance their knowledge
The student who "already knows it all" is my most challenging student. I try to show them that they are wrong and they just disagree, then when you PROVE them wrong they act like you're picking on them.
Hi Dean,
You are right these students do require one on one. You must put a stop to students pushing your buttons. Let the students know you are in full control, and you will not tolerate their foolishness.
Patricia
The most challenging student for me is the ones that disregard the professionalism standards set forth by the industry for their future success and safety. and they use excuses like its just school, I wouldnt do this or that if I was in the "real world". I usually take these student and work with them and coach them on how their performances directly reflect the habits they are forming and how partering with me to achieve the stardards will greatly improve there chance for success in the job market and possibly their personal lives as well.
I find the most challenging students to be those who have little or no interest in the subject. I usually assign projects that involve teamwork. I find this will indulge the disinterested students.
The shy ones that are afraid to ask a simple question are my most challenging ones, some times it so hard to reach them. So i find with the majority of these students that giving the most simple praise and encourgement helps to reach in and open up their minds which starts building more self confidince and respect in their personality, when this happens the light bulb goes from dim to 100watts so much faster for them. Wish I could win them all,but???
Hi David,
You must put a stop to this type of student. The tactics that you use have proven to work over the years. I make it known on Day 1 that there is to be no talking when I am talking or when another student is talking, otherwise you will be reprimanded. This tactic works for me.
Patricia
Hi Daniel,
It can be very frustrating to an instructor when a student does not work to his or her fullest level of potential. We as educators must continue to try to bring out the best in our students.
Patricia
Most challenging or the one that pushes my buttons! Well the students that push my button are the student who seem that they just don not care. The more challenging are the students who have a difficult time understanding the information. Both of the above require some one on one.
The most challenging is the ones that talk while I or another student has the floor. It usually requires two parts. The first is dealing with the immediate distraction. If it is one or two students conversing, usually light sarcasm works. I usually start with “apologizing for my rudeness“ for interrupting their conversation. I will also try just stopping talking. Either one usually works. The second part is taking the student aside and discussing the reason behind the distraction. Is it boredom or frustration for not understanding? Most students are conditioned not to ask questions. It is better to deal with the root problem if possible rather than just the symptom.
The student that i find most challenging is the student that does not apply him or her self they can do the work or task but will not do the work or task. I will try to explain how it will help when they get in the working world and that it may be something that not everyone knows or can do so it will be a anvantage to them.
Hi Kenneth,
Nothing saddens me more than to see a student not work to his or her fullest level of potential. As educators, we must make it a point to push our students to their fullest level of potential. I never understood students that wanted to just settle because I always wanted to be the best student possible.
Patricia
Hi Jason,
It is so sad when students want you to do their work for them. You are right, at some point they must understand that they must perform on their own. In the workplace no one is going to be there to hold their hand.
Patricia
The students that I have challeges with tend to be those that do not work to their abilities. This type of student has all of the ability but does not work to the fullest of their abilities. Sometimes the student does not have the confidence that they can perform at the level expected or they become board easily and then they tend to shut down and perform at a limited capacity. Other time they have acquired poor work habits that cause them to underachieve. This can be trying as each student is different and needs a tailored approach to help them work to their fullest potential.
I have a hard time with students that want someone else to do their work. They will call me over and want me to do their work. Then they act as though that is what I am supposed to do, that is "what they are paying for". They do not seem to grasp that at some point they will be out in the field on their own and will be expected to perform.
I am happy to answer their questions, but I will not do the work for them, and that is what I explain to them. I often find that their biggest problem is that they have not been challenged in their lives, and have always had someone there to pick them up. For most of them it is a simple matter of showing them that they can think through their problems, and that they will be able to do this on their own in the field. I then show them how to rely on each other and to use what they each know as a resource to help to solve the problem.
Hi Charles,
I've been teaching for twenty years, and I have not discovered a way yet to teach the lazy. Wanting to be taught has to come from within, and the student must put forth effort as well--it is a two way connection between the instructor and the student.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
You are right. Students must learn in the educational setting how to do things by themselves. An employer does not want employees who are solely dependent on others, however, I do understand that from time to time a question may need to be asked, but for the most part one must know how to perform by themselves. The hand holding stops once the student hits the workforce, and we must make this know to them.
Patricia
One of the most challenging students that I have has was one who had self entitlement issues. Where his mother told him he was the best.... And that his instructors had to pass him because he was paying so much. For me it was very difficult to deal with him. I barely finished teaching him without going on vacation to avoid him.
I can teach the uninformed.
I can teach the misguided.
How do I teach the Lazy?
