This is quite a common problem. I take the opportunity to listen, because often, I can identify the true source of the problem rather than just what is on the surface.
Hi Roberto,
Many of our students really need to take the time to think before they react.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
That is a valid point, once they are aware of such it sticks to their mind and make them think twice before finding excusses for every little situation they come accross.
Hi Roberto,
I let my students know up front I do not want to hear your excuses, accept responsibility and become a doer. In the workplace too many excuses can get you terminated.
Patricia
The first thing to do is let them know that no matter what kind of excusses they come up with, each person is responsible for their own actions. Therefore; let us see what can be done to help you get over your situation and provide them with assignment where in dead lines are involved and let the slacker understand the concequences if the task is not completed by such day.
This may involve allowing them to work in groups in order to allow he or she to realize the importance of responsability. As the person notice that other members within the group are on the ball this action perhaps will allow the individual to follow the example and complete his or her task.
I believe that you can only truly learn with humility and an openness to learn from your mistakes. If the mindset is that "I'm perfect" or it's always someone elses fault. There is no ability to learn.
Hi Elizabeth,
You are the perfect person to deal with these type of students. You've had a lot of the same hardships they have, and you made it! You can really sympathize and empathize with them. It is different when you've been through it. You can really talk about.
Patricia
Hi Phillippe,
Absolutely! At some point, students must learn how to take ownership. Students need to understand the importance of taking responsibility for their own action.
Patricia
I point out that blameing others will only hold that individual back. I explain that every one in the class needs to take ownership of their education to be successful.
I have been there and done that--as far as child care, single parent, marital and economic disasters and in the introduction of my self to my classes I mention or alude to some of the things that have happend and emphasize that you have to make hard choices to succeed in school. You cannot control what happens and what others do you can only controll how you react.
I think a lot of students somehow have this concept that instructors had it all handed to them on a silver platter. Empathy and understanding help.
I will sometimes say to a student some thing like this "That soes present problems. What con you do to work around the problem and how can I help you?" It focuses the action on them but indicates a willingness to help.
Hi Instructor Scales,
A strategy for dealing with students who blame others for their lack of success is to assign them to work in small groups on an assignment. This can help the student to develop a more collaborative attitude and encourage the student to be more conscientious in completing his/her work without continuing to place the blame on others.
On the first day of a new class, during the course introduction, I like to relate a story to the students. I once had to go to court for a traffic ticket and at the start of the court proceedings, the judge gave a brief address. In his address, he stated that he was aware of the fact that many of us were in court for a "speeding" charge. He told us that we could plead "guilty" or "not guilty", BUT if we decided to plead "not guilty" he would ask us why the officer thought to stop us and whether or not we were in fact exceeding the posted limit. He then said "Do NOT tell me things like ' I was on my way to the hospital' or 'everyone else was going that fast' or ;my speedometer was broken'. Ladies and gentlemen, those are all REASONS, not EXCUSES. In this world, there are many 'reasons', some of them perhaps quite good, BUT there are NO EXCUSES". Needless to say, most of the people in court pled "guilty". It was, in my opinion, an excellent example of personal accountability. After the address (which I use in my introduction) it was clear that we would all be responsible to follow through on expectations and that there would be no excuses.
In my class, I try to create a culture of individual accountability, transparency and constant ethical and procedural gut checks. Owning up to one’s mistakes and understanding the impact on myriad levels is part of the learning curve toward demonstrating mastery.
I believe we need to redirect the responsibility back to the student for their own actions. I would ask them to tell me how I can help them to succeed, while offering my support and encouragement to help them succeed.
I think it is important to remind them of the professional environment that they are in and the field that they are going to be working in. It is important they understand the STANDARDS of the profession they are in. Iam not helping them by excepting fradulent excuses.
Hi Tangelia,
I strongly agree with your answer, responsibility has to start with someone. Students should take responsibility for their actions!!!
Depending upon the audience, one of the ways to deal with students that shift blame is to work in a discussion of accountability in the workplace. Tell a personal story or a lesson learned where taking responsibility for your actions payed dividends. Maybe this dividend was the simple, but valued, earned respect that is so important.
Calling a student out -- especially an adult student -- is not going to be effective. But relaying a real-world concept in a somewhat subtle manner may have reaching impact.
Regards,
Christopher
Hi Hans,
Absolutely! If you mess up then fess up!
Patricia
Hi Richard,
Good point! They would never blame others for all the success to their life.
Patricia
Hi Rebecca,
No, I have not encountered this, but if I do I would certainly have a conversation with the manipulative student.
Patricia
