Hi Lisa,
We do need to be supportive of our students, but we also need to hold them accountable. Teaching them for every choice there is a consequence.
I agree with you Jannette. Some times students need to know that someone is in their corner; however, it is really important for them to take responsibility for their actions. Our tone as professors can make a big difference in the student understanding what they have done and what they need to do.
Hi Jannette,
Listening is key. If you can get the students to see how it is their fault, the students understand things a lot better.
Patricia
Helen I disagree with you a little about students having more time when they are unemployed. This is a stressful time for many people and studying would probably is the last thing on their minds.
Yes, I have used this but they seem to ignore the fact they signed a contract.
Do you have support from your administration? I would try to elicit their help. And, this is extremely hard to do sometimes, but ignore the student. Eventually she will hang herself. The more attention the student gets, the more it continues. I once had a student who was so disruptive that I asked her to leave and she refused. So I told her she must keep her promise and not leave the classroom. I gave them a break and as they were returning from the break I told everyone except her to convene in a different room. When she finally came in and started bellyaching I just continued lecturing without acknowledging her. A couple of students started snickering and so she found a seat and kept quiet for awhile. Then she started again and I gave the students another break and went to another classroom. She never bothered to find the new one and the rest of the class went on fine without her. She complained bitterlly to administration and my director told her she should feel lucky that I let her into the second classroom because she promised not to leave the first! I realize that this is not usually an option but we had the space and I was at my wits end also. Now it's a good story to laugh about:)
We have a policy in our school that they must bring in the program from the funeral or the obituary that lists thier relationship tothe deceased. Or a doctors note or discharge instructions from the hospital, etc. We also have some computers at school that are in the library for students to use specifically for students who don't have computers or they can't get a program to work on their computer. I would think being unemployed would allow them more time to study and be more successful. Over time I have learned to ask students about their absences and have a conversation that can elicit information as to whether or not they are telling the truth. For example, if they say they had to take someone to the ER, I'll ask in a concerned manner about the details of the trip and the signs and symtoms of the disease that they were experiencing, what hospital they went to, how far away it was (since time is of the essence in an emergency), etc.
I have been fortunate in mot having many that were into this game.
Only one the last three years to any extent. He wanted to go on and on about how the school had not fulfilled what they said they would do and he didn't think it was fair he was getting failing grades.
At that time I was teaching the last class before graduation. I looked it up and he had missed almost twice as much class time as any other student.
I pointed that out also the difficulty of teaching a student who is not there. He got busy and did pass, barely, but he did pass.
The best way to address students who wish to blame others is to get them to take accountability for their own actions. Try to find the route of the problem, and deal with it, and the end of the day, they are responsible for themselves, and ultimately for their own grades.
Listen, have them make their case and have them clarify what exactly is they feel responsible.
Also allow them a cooling off period to think about their reactions to an event.
I guess my issue with this topic deals with a student's level of self esteem. I had students like this throughout my years of teaching and I found out that when I focused on helping them to understand the issues they are dealing with, they start to put things in perspective. The students start to take responsibility for their role in the situation.
Hi Nancy,
These are the type of students that you must hold their feet to the fire and point out things to them immediately whenever they are doing things that are unfavorable.
Patricia
Have them participate in small group setting so that they are accountable to their peers and their participation contributes to group's success.
I am not sure if I have specific strategies other than having different discussions with my student(s). One of the main topic of discussion I would have with the student is taking responsibilty for his/her actions. For example, when I have a student who turns in an assignment late, instead of them admitting that they did not manage their time wisely, they go into excuses such as, if the computer lab was open longer I would be able to finish my work; or if the teacher gave us a study guide I would have done better on my test.
Lisa
Hi Bernard,
Great insight to share with your students. I am sure you make a difference when it comes to this.
Patricia
Hi Greg,
It sounds like you can really understand these students because you have done the same thing. I am sure you can give them some good insight. What kind of insight have you shared with your students about this?
Patricia
Hi Shantana,
I like how you put the responsibility back on the student, and you give them something to think about as well.
Patricia
I ask them what did they do? How did it make them feel and what are they going to do to correct the problem. Define how they can take ownership for themselves?
I like what you said."One lookes at ones self for success".Iknow all threw my 20s I blamed every one els. I try to remember that when working with a student exzibeting the same behaver.
I talk with them and let them know that they first need to look at what they are doing and make sure that everything is correct. I let them know that most mistakes are made not because of someone else, but because of stress or trying to do something to quickly. Lastly, one needs to look at ones self for success before passing blame on others.
