From day one you must be able to identify the problem students and deal with the potential situation head on. One must establish the pecking order and make it known that you are the instructor and the students are there to learn. It’s not fair for the other students to have to sit through the disruptions and lose out on their education.
Thanks,
S. Tejeda
Hello Bonnie,
I like the idea of killing students with kindess. In a sense, you are being the bigger person.
Patricia
When dealing with challenging students you need to be open and honest with them, and explain why things are the way that they are. I always kill the student's with kindness. It makes it really difficult for them to continue having an attitude with you. Sometimes even a sort of "trust" develops.
Bonnie
Hi Kathleen,
How have you found qualitative feedback via online different from a traditional classroom setting?
Patricia
What are the pros and cons of handling a disruptive student by letting peer pressure take its course? For example, if after coaching the student to no avail, excuse yourself and let the class talk briefly about how it wants to continue...with the instructor as the leader/facilitator or under the disruptive student's methods. Is this TOO democratic or undermine authority too much?
Listening is essential. Instructors should be careful to choose the appropriate place for hearing a stuent out and pay attention to who else is listening.
Angry students must behave professionally while in class. If they can not behave professionally, they must be asked to leave class. They should have a chance to voice their concerns, yes. But sometimes class is not the right place for them to air their comments.
Hi Carrie,
I've seen after a student has written down their complaint, they realize it is no big deal, and the problem takes care of itself.
Patricia
LISTENING is huge and it does work....to a degree. Sometimes there are students that cannot be pleased but often listening does the trick. You have to help the student see both sides of a situation....the schools/instructors as well as understaning their concerns.
I would like to pose a particular situation and ask for suggestions as to what would be the best possible instructor response.
It was the first day of my class. A student raised his hand and explained that he had talked to a student or students who had taken my class last quarter. He had heard that I was strict, that my class was hard, and that I never revisted the same topic more than once.
What would have been the best way for me to respond?
HI
Having a clear set of expectations for the students is essential. There should be no grey area for students to wonder about requirements or assessment.
I also believe having an open door policy is essential when instructing. Students should feel comfortable to discuss their difficulties with you.
Jocelyn M. Dervis
Hi Anne,
I am sure your students appreciate and/or can respect your straightforwardness. As I can see, you do not leave any room for guessing. You make things known up front, and you have documentation to back you. Super!
Patricia
Hi Kyle,
It is important to let the students know that you are there for them.
Patricia
Hello Charlin,
Super! Listening is a virture for educators.
Patricia
Hi Stanley,
I always paraphrase to my students to make sure I fully understand the concern/complaint. You can not resolve anything if you have a misunderstanding.
Patricia
As an online instructor it is about providing clear, qualitative feedback. It is also about providing clear expectations that identifies the late policies, the requirements for online responses to colleagues, and ensuring that this is across the board. Kathleen
Hi William,
Great variety when dealing with challenging students. William, what are considered to be pass arounds?
Patricia
I really liked the idea of having students write down their complaints. I think it is a great way of having them identify the real problem. Oftentimes, students just want to complain, and they want someone to listen. Writing down their thought helps them present me with a specific issue to deal with, not just general complaints.
The best way I've found to reduce complaints and challenges is to be straightforward and clear right from the beginning. Set out your expectations and requirements clearly in your syllabus/course outline and ask questions to make sure the students understand what is expected of them. Then if they challenge something, I refer back to the syllabus. When I am grading subjective assignments, I develop a rubric or grading scale and give it to the students so that they can see what I think is important.
Hello Jannie,
Whenever students have concerns, it is best for the students to voice their concerns rather than the instructor voicing the concerns for them. Department heads listen when students voice their concerns either verbally or through written communication.
Patricia
I like to have as much as possible detailed in my syllabus. Also, I tell my students every class that questions are always welcomed and encouraged, if there is any issue, large or small, we will discuss it and work it out together.
