Hi Carrie,
If you are intimidated by this student, you need to get your DOE and director involved so that this student is spoken to in a very matter-of-fact way. He needs to realize his short coming is nobody's fault but his. You can only teach those who are there. Don't beat yourself up, other students were extremely successful. Teach those who want to be taught. I can't believe your institution doesn't have an attendance policy. You may want to speak with the appropriate staff so that one is implemented to avoid problems such as with this student, i.e., late or absent.
Patricia
Hi Heather,
You are right! I follow these same practices. Students need to know up front what the rules, policies, and procedures are. The instructor needs to make sure to enforce the various rules, policies, and procedures, otherwise students will take you for a joke.
Patricia
I've had a particular student who always blamed another student or the lab assistant for doing a procedure incorrectly. I had a discussion with the student and told her that sometimes others DO make mistakes. If she didn't trust the other student for the correct information, then she should follow the information that I supplied to find the correct answer herself. As for the lab assistant, I explained that she has been in the class numerous times and that she is very qualified to give the correct instructions, but that I was also always available in class for her to ask.
As a new instructor i have been having a hard time dealing with this issue. Mostly because i'm still unsure of myself and tend to think it was or is my fault when they don't do well in my class. I had a student last term that was always late or absent and did poorly on my tests, and was angry that i didn'y accept late work, he said some really nasty things to and about me and totally blamed me for his failure. I know i will have to teach him again in a few months and i'm apprehensive about it because he makes me feel threatened physically. I know now that his failure was his as all of the other students did very well, but is their any advice for how to deal with this situation in the future?
Mostly what I have found is the excuses' of outside activity. Family, work, car problems, or the "I just ran out of time". It becomes a time management problem. My approach to these students is to get them to find a specific time each week to devote to education. I encourage them to develop a specific study time each week. A specific time that family and others in their lives can respect. It may be an evening or several hours on the weekend. I also recommend that if they can, go to the school resource area or library, it is great place to study.
Another otpion it to get a study partner. This is a great option for some, and not for others. Again it is the time mangement issue, setting time aside for the study partner.
explain to these individuals that taking responsibilities for their own action is a sign of professionalism and also good learning processes learn what is right from doing wrong will sometimes enhance their learning abilities
I have policies set in place for homework and project due dates as well as for missed tests and quizzes. By having these policies and explaining them to the students at the beginning of the term and sticking to them throughout the term, I find that students blame others less frequently and depend on themselves. I also find that I get less excuses this way. Students know that if they are late with the homework they will not get credit for it. They also know that I never allow make-ups on quizzes. Likewise, they know that only a few very extenuating circumstances will allow for tests to be made up and then they need to have documentation.
Because of these policies, I find that I don't have near as much of the excuses and blame as I once did.
Hi Timothy,
I like how you back this teachable moment up with a positive (praise) so that students understand.
Patricia
Hi John,
I like how you put the responsibility on the student. They need to learn how to problem solve effectively.
Patricia
I have found both in the classroom and outside world that listening and answering with empathy, What a Bummer and poising the question of what might they do differently next time. So that they will have to work it out and take ownership. Some guidance may be needed but I do not like to give them the answer I want them to find it.
When dealing with the students who blame others, I explain to them that as an adult it is their responsibility to take blame that is deserved. Just like it is their responsibility to take praise that is deserved.
Curriculum is Surgical Technology; A huge component of the profession is accountability and responsibility at all cost (for the safety and protection of the patient) I tress this over and over throughout the course of instruction.
Students who are not able to accept the poor outcomes resulting from (more often than not) their poor choices must be advised.
I listen to the student. What they have to say may make since to them but upon verbalizing their "blame" they often realize the lack of reasoning behind the blame.
Once the student shares their feelings with me, I give them a scenario they may face in the OR which will require them to face accountability for the actions. I also enforce the importance of teamwork in the OR in which no individual is more or less accountable but we must all take responsibility for our roles and outcomes.
This usually clears up any blame issues.
I try to reach out to the student by giving them individual attention. I meet with this type when I can. Usually these types of students will not come to class early or stay late to discuss their progress. They miss class a lot too.
So I take time during a break or make time during the class to discuss their progress and how I can help them. If they blame others and cannot seem to recognize their issues; I advise their admissions counselor about this. Sometimes an admissions counselor has a better understanding of what may be going on in the students life and can assist with their issue (s).
Hi Pamela,
How effective has this method been for you working with this type of student?
Patricia
Hi Steven,
I like this speil that you give your students. This type of attitude is applicable to any industry. Students must learn how to be held accountable, and we need to ensure that in the career colleges.
Patricia
On the fist day of class I talk to my students about "Ownership Spirit". I explain that in our industry, the best way to build respect and dignity is to own your mistakes. I tell them that this school is where you need to learn through making errors, that this is part of the educational process.
discuss with student thier goals, the plan to achieve the goal and allow with directions how the may need to adjust the plan or work harder at completing the goal.
We can also encourage and enforce the positive side of student.We also should let him/her know that we care about them.
I always tell student that accept the responsibility for their own action is a mature behaviors. We learned from the life and grow up from it as well.
Hi Billie,
Nice response! Mistakes should always be looked at as a life lessons. Confess to the mistake and move forward. Everyone makes them.
Patricia
