Managing student conflicts
Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing well.
I have really enjoyed this course!
I wanted to discuss the topic of student conflicts. I feel it is something that needs to be addressed by the faculty member as soon as it is discovered. Delays can create more disruption by other students taking sides in the conflict and soon learning stops and chaos ensues!
Developing and requiring students to acknowledge a classroom Netiquette policy helps avoid issues. I tell my students we can disagree, but there is never a cause to be disagreeable in the classroom. Most of the colleges I teach for have their own version of a netiquette policy, so I always adhere to the posted rules. I ask students to read and acknowledge this policy via email. I ask them if they have any questions, to please let me know and if they encounter any bullying type of behavior to let me know immediately.
In my Faculty Expectations section I clearly state that I have a zero tolerance policy for any bullying type of behavior. I've not had but a handful of issues in the 4 years I have been teaching online courses. I think a proactive approach, nipping infractions in the bud quickly, and a clearly stated policy helps to keep the classroom running smoothly without conflicts.
Thank you!
Dr. Angela Thomas
The institution needs documentation for legal reasons.
The documentation allows me to request assistance from my supervisor and from the adviser.
Albert,
It is a shame that it has to come to this at times, but it is nice to have the documentation if it does come to this.
Herbert Brown III
I agree that the high tech environment records anything that I do within the institutions' network.
I have been challenged by online students. One student claimed that I was not helpful during live chat. Since the live chat was recorded, my supervisor reviewed the recorded chat and learned that I had refused to tell the student the answer. We agreed to assist the student in fully appreciating the student centered learning approach.
Albert,
So in some ways the online teaching environment protects the instructor and student by providing a clear history of the communication that any third party could review and evaluate. I certainly keep all e-mail communications especially when there are difficult situations that are "growing" during the semester, such as students that are not performing well and have been informed repeatedly and provided help but the student does not chose to improve. If this is a capstone course and could mean a 1 year setback in their progression you need the documentation in case their is an issue. Certainly instructor and student are potentially better protected through written communication.
Herbert Brown III
Every institution has a policy on inappropriate student behavior and inappropriate faculty behavior. Ombudsman was created to handle such serious issues when student/faculty cannot settle problems. Communications in online programs is usually stored communication and is better at tracking information. In traditional class room verbal and abusive behavior is often not recorded except by testifying...
When I ask my supervisor to assist me, the record is clearly recorded in my online class room. in the traditional class room,... that takes more time, more meetings and more work
Albert,
There are definately times to get other people involved in managing conflicts. Oftentimes just getting the details and working through the issues with students is enough, but if that doesn't help and you have exhausted your options, administration is there to help.
Herbert Brown III
My worst nightmares and conflicts were two students: one was an active duty military that tried to intimidate everyone including me. The other was a religious person who continually informed me that my teachings went against God. And yes a I called in my Deans for assistance.
Hi Angela,
In my online classes, the conflict typically happens over team projects. Someone agrees to do their part, and then doesn't come through. I typically ask the team to try to work through it first before coming to me.
Before they start a team project, I make them write a contract describing the project, roles, goals and expectations, and conflict resolution strategy. That always comes in handy when there is a conflict. I hold them accountable for whatever they said they would do in the contract.
After the team project, I ask each team member to grade their team members based on their participation and quality. It is a great way to figure out what is really happening in the team. Some people just don't play well in the sandbox.
Angie
Angela,
I really like your forward focused approach to how your course is going to be conducted and what the behavior expectations are. By setting such a tone you are ahead of the issues so when they do arise they are easy to deal with and suppress. This keeps the learning effort intact and helps with student satisfaction. Thank you for sharing these comments with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
