Dealing with Negative Students
In my classes I've had a few students in the past who have just had bad attitudes. It could have been the material, it could have been school in general, it could have been their personal lives, or it could have been me. Whatever the reason, I try to not let it affect how I teach because the majority of the students are participating and engaged. And I don't want one negative attitude to affect everyone else's experiences.
Unfortunatly I did I let a few students with bad attitudes affect how I teach. Being a new instructor I unfortunatly fell into the trap. Now I have to get the rest of the students caught up with work that was supposed to be done in class while dealing with these few students attitudes.
Discover what their reason for that moment to be angray or negative. If it still exists, and can anything be done about it. If it's the instrucotr, then student may have to fill out complaint from.
thanks so smuch,
Jan Dardnne
Try to downplay or offer reason as to why the situation has made them negative. Upon complaining about anothe instructor, I point out their course load, or ask the student did they go to the teacher, but were afraid, and had no valid reason as to why.
Sometimes the student will open the door wide, were the other students in the class will fire back a comment that quiets them up.
I agree. Most students that come in angry want to have the attention on them. I continue with class as if nothing is happening unless it disrupts everyone else. Then on a break I approach the student to speak with them and listen to their reasoning. They feel more comfortable speaking in a one-on-one conversation without having to "showboat".
