You're right I almost forgot the docmnet to protect and track aspect.
Hi Jeremy,
Everyone is different, and you have to be the judge as to how to deal with each student. Some are more challening than others.
Patricia
Hi Amani,
Our students have a ton of problems. Most of the time just by listening they feel better by being allowed to vent.
Patricia
Hi Warren,
Great advice! Listening is key!
Patricia
Hi Cynthia,
Listeneing is key! Documenting is a good way to protect yourself.
Patricia
Always listen. A lot of confrontation can be eliminated by letting the student air out their grievances. Try to remain objective and remind the student that you are there to help facilitate their learning. Do not get sucked into the emotional exchange. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! And offer solutions to the student that does not involve you being bullied into doing things their way.
remain calm and non confrontational, listen to them and take notes either mentally or in writting and then once venting is done review their complaint, give your perception of it and work towards a solution.
when confronted with an angry student I tell them that I want to spend time with them and set up an appointment with them maybe after class. By the time the appointment comes up, the student would have relaxed and I listen to them. This usually gives me an insight of what is going on in their lives and many times I was surprised to learn that they do have a sincere learning desire but their own problems come in the way.
Well, this is a situation that needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis. Some students are very easily appeased by simply listening to them and offering some well thought out advice. On the opposite end of the spectrum, others need very specific consequenses for their actions to be laid out.
I have to agree with my colleagues that listening is key. That many times ameliorates the situation but not always. In those cases the key is to be VERY professional and not allow your emotions to flare, no matter how unreasonable the student's demands/complaints are. I have learned this the hard way. ANY off hand comment by the instructor will not only exacerbate the situation, but your words (in my environment, electronically recorded) will be forwarded to the "powers that be" and can further complicate the situation. I usually listen, attempt to defuse the situation, accommodate the student when I can, and when I can't explain calmly why. Usually administration will back this kind of approach.
Ken Orgill
Listen...listen...and then listen. Students have to have a voice that is heard. Instructors have to be firm, but fair.
I let them talk it out and just listen and then I suggest they write out their concerns as well.
When confronted with angry students, it is important to understand why they are angry. As the instructor, you want to always contorl the classroom so it is up to you to combat angry students with positive thoughts.
I always encourage my students to leave negative thoughts and behaviors outside the classroom and focus on positive behaviors. As we continue to reinforce positive behavior, some students attitudes are slowly adjusted and other will remain angry but they have seen how positive behaviors encourage their disposition.
I believe listening actively with no judgement is very helpful.
Listen to why he/she is angry
Hi John,
Making small talk with a student is a great gesture. I have had so many students to really open up to me from our small talks.
Patricia
Ive never thought to have the student write down their complaints... This is great!
usually i will listen to their particular problem and then we will discuss the situation.
I try to calm them down first. Then, I bring in another instructor to help witness our conversation. I don't raise my voice with the student and I listen to what their issue is. If the student is completely out of control or I can do nothing to help them, they are sent to the Exec. Chef for counseling.
I appreciate this post. Hopefully I will never have to deal with a student that is out of control but knowing how to diffuse the situation and options to take should one technique fail is helpful. I have heard of other programs similar to mine having to deal with angry students. But I've also noticed that sometimes the anger is among or between students and violence has even errupted in the CR. I am a small woman, but I can be intimidating if I really need to be. Short of that, it would be a call to campus security. Hopefully taking the right steps at the first sign of a problem can eliminate the escalation of a problem requiring this level of intervention.
