I cannot seem to find anything to deal with mentally ill students, i.e. Bi-Polar, Depression, etc..
Hi Angela,
I have found that the student calms down from writing the complaint. This is a very psychological approach.
Patricia
Hi Laura,
There are people who are just like you, they dislike confrontation. I have learned that in education whether you like it or not, it has to be done, and the sooner the better for everyone.
Patricia
Hi Alisa,
I listen to the student as soon as time permits. It is best to let the student calm down. Generally, the student calms down simply from me listening to he/she vent.
Patricia
The anger needs to be addressed, but in productive ways. In the course, it was suggested having the students write about their anger. I had not thought of this before and really liked the suggestion. I also liked the suggestion of having the student make suggestions regarding the resolution of the problem; not just ranting about what they perceive to be the problem.
The course also suggested that angry behavior is more prevalent among male students. I do not agree with that statement. I teach what is primarily a female profession (dental hygiene). I have had a few male students, but not many.
Female students display their anger differently than male students. Also their anger is just as likely to be with their classmates, but is focused toward the teacher or the curriculum. It is a different dynamic. But having them write would accomplish the same goal.
I don't address the problem immediatley so that the student has time to calm down.
Knowing what I should do and doing it can sometimes be difficult for me. I do not like confrontation. First I take a mental deep breath, and then I listen. Sometimes I give a minimal response and tell the student a simple task that requires them to meet with me again later. This gives me time to get perspective and, sometimes, outside information. It does seem to defuse the situation and enable both of us to be working for a positive solution.
I always take them aside and let them vent. I encourage them to tell me everything that has angered them and then we discuss what I can and cannot help them with. If it is a situation that requires another administrators assistance, I don't just direct them to see that person, I escort them to that person. It shows concern and intent to help.
Ask that student to write down their complaint and turn it in officially.
This is a very effective response. Everybody has a personal life and sometimes a person can become overwhelmed by life's circumstances. Listening is the most effective response. Follw that with empathy and support.
What do you do if an angry student starts using foul language? Listening is no longer an option, interrupting can cause more anger, and asking the student to leave the room will look like I don't care for what the issue is. Please advise.
As it says in the learning material, listen is the number one thing to do. It is possible that the student has a valid complaint that you have the responsibility to hear, and respond. The student may just be responding to some outside problem that has come up recently, and by allowing them to vent causes them to settle down. If you don't listen, you won't know which situation you are confronting. If the student does not settle down, or you cannot relieve the tension or the problem, that student must be asked to leave to allow the class to continue.
Hi Scott,
Super way to handle this! Listening is key!
Patricia
I ask to see the student in the hall away from the other students but the students can still see both the student and myself. Then I let the student explain themself and deal with that in a calm manor, unless the situation becomes volitile, in which case a ask the student to come with me to the dean's office.
Hi Hilda,
During an episode such as this the instructor should use a very calming demeanor. Listening also plays a key factor.
Patricia
First, the issue that is responsible for the student's state of mind should be determined. The students concerns should always be taken seriously and possible solutions should be formulated with the assistance of the student. If the issue arises in the classroom, everthing should be done to deescalte the situation via a calm and rational approach by the instructor.
I have found that it is most effective when you give them an opportunity to express themselve
I recently experienced a situation with a student of another culture that was inadvertently offended by packaging language on a product we used in our production. It was a great opportunity to get the class involved in a cultural diversity discussion. The outcome was very positive, and efforts are underway to affect a change in the product's packaging language.
I am extremely intimidated by angry students. Acting out, indicates a lack of control or maturity.I go on alert mode and become very observant. You really get a chance to see the character. I have often observe first hand their hostility and spread of discommitment among other students with the course myself, or a test.
Good or bad,my acquired coping experience is to allow the behavior to play out while waiting for them to initialize contact with me. By this time hopefully they have vented and are able to discuss the situation rationally.
Once contact is made, I validate their concerns then offer an alternative involving them to choose a course of action of not giving up or bowing out at a negotiate level of passing.
I have had incidents with angry students, usually as stated, a male. He may challenge a female instructor or want to be identified as an expert to the rest of the class.
I have learned to listen and better respond to diffuse a delicate matter.
