I listen to thier story, sometimes they just had a bad day...if possible I assign them some sort of task I know they can handle and give them time to cool down....I like the idea of them writing down thier complaints.
I agree, just by listening and showing interest, staying calm and letting the student vent or writing things on paper will show the student you
do care what their issues are.
It is vitally important to listen to their complaint. Once you have listened to their complaint, respond point by point backing yourself up by referring to your syllabus or assignment directions. Also, it is usually helpful to have the student write his/her complaint down.
Lori
by listening and letting a student voice a grevence always trying to scale down anger and find a solution
Hi Mike,
When working with angry students listening is a virture! Sometimes students simply need to get things off of their chest.
Patricia
Hi Medhin,
It certainly is better done after class. Never let the angry student keep other students from learning. You may even have to let the angry student wait up front until class is over or break time becomes available.
Patricia
be calm and look the student straight in the eye. move with student out of class away from other students, if student cooperates.offer the
student to sit down and let thetudent talk.
talk. listen and take down notes. ask to ere[eat again some complaints or ask thenm to explain as you cannot understand their intent. this will make the student realise that you ar paying
attention and genuinely want to help them will make them calm down.
if student delibrately qwants to be angry to disturb the class or intimidate profeesor into
giving more grades, call for asistance from immediate supervisor.if student is threatening , leave the class and enter alomnfg with dean or supervisor to take student to thier office and address the problem
Hi claire,
I agree to remain calm and listen to their frustration how ever they can also disturb your class to listen to their frustration. I think this will be better to do after class.
Medhin
I never tried the writing down what the complaints are-I just listened. This sounds like a great idea to try.
I listen and try to see the situation from the students view. Not that I would agree with them, but need to understand what they need to resolve this anger.
Remain calm and listen to their frustrations, and then clearly explain your point of view.
Hi Lois,
Listening is key! Listening seems to really minimize the anger.
Patricia
Hi Daniel,
I concur! Listening is key! Listening has proven to serve as a great solver.
Patricia
Ask them to step outside, and tell them that you will calmly talk with them, ask them what is making them so angry, try to disfuse it.
Managing angry students is tricky. Try to initially difuse the situation by being an active listener as long as the student hasn't escalated to physical violence or verbal abuse. Having them write down complaint if they ahve formed enought trust with you is another way for them to focus negative energy into a positive outcome. Validate the student by acknowledging that have a concern, difuse the situation and handle their concerns by routing to the appropriate place/chain of command.
THis has worked well for me in the past with frustrated staff and even myself!
First of all, you must remain calm and collected, not rising to their level of emotion. Then if the situation permits, you take the time to listen to what the student has to say. Let them vent. If this takes place during class and you decide it can't wait untill class is over then take the conversation outside of the classroom as to not disrupt the class. Hopefully you can postpone it till after class to address the situation more fully. The important thing to do though is to listen. That in itself may diffuse the situation.
I agree....I do a great deal of listening and before responding I take a deep breath and pause to review what I will respond with before I speak. Some students will speak to the point that they have lost a grasp of what they are angry about.
I like the idea of having the student write down their complaint and give them a due date for it.
All in all, I believe keeping a positive outlook; without preconceptions or personal thoughts attached, will keep us balanced instructors under any situation.
I often find angry students to be taken by surprise when I let them speak with out interruption, just listening. Sometimes they
work out the issue without my having to offer
a solution. Some students get so wrapped-up in
writing their complaint, that as the module pointed out, they don't follow through. Both the instructor listening and the student writing are very affective tools.
Hi Monica,
I like the three steps mentioned. Listening is definitely key!
Patricia
Hi Cindy,
Go get someone of higher authority and have them make the student leave the room. Express to the authoritarian that you DO NOT won't the student back in your class for the gradig period and request that the student apologizes to you.
Patricia
