Frustration as a motivator
At times as an instructor I have faced the challenge of teaching students of limited ability. One student in particular comes to mind. I came home frustrated that this student lacked the basic skills needed to pass the course. I was angered with admissions and disappointed with my inability to teach this student. My wife made the simple and profound comment, "Given that the student will not pass the course what skills has he learned from you that he can take with him?" My frustration ceased and was replaced by a deeper understanding of the essence of teaching.
I like that - "I will not let them fail..." That will already show that that you believe in them, and now they have to start believing in themselves.
Hi Brent,
Great strategy that will benefit other instructors. We are all challenged by these students each time we teach a class. The more strategies we have knowledge of the more chances we have to meet the needs of these students.
Gary
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for this great example of how to use one of the main resources every instructor has available, students. By using them as you are everyone is benefiting from your organizational format of letting other students help with the motivation of their cohorts.
Gary
I agree with your approach and have suffered the same problem as you have--the student has the ability and yet expends energy on not using it. As a general education instructor I find a couple of approaches that help:
1. Understand learning styles. I find that incorporating lessons that utilize different approaches will often overcome many obstacles. I recommend http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp as a means by which to understand various learning styles in pursuit of a multi-modal approach.
2. I try to incorporate relevant content from the popular culture (i.e. movies, music, slang, etc.) in order to deliver the information in a way that speaks to them. Of course, the naturally requires fluency in popular culture that many are not attracted to, myself included, but it gets their attention.
This does not solve all problems but does help mitigate them. At the end of the day I feel like I have set high expectations, made allowances where applicable, and try not to get too frustrated with those that are not motivated.
I would like appreciate any suggestions you might have on this particular topic as I long for the day when I look at a class and cannot find a disengaged student!
Brent
I completely understand your situation. I too have faced this many times. The worst situations are those that involve students who have the skills and abilities, they just choose for whatever reason, not to use them. These are the students who can frustrate you the most. In my experience, I have learned a nice little technique. I utilize the resources at hand; their fellow students. Sometimes you can present situations which encourage the other students in the classroom to motivate the student for you. And if you are careful about it, and do it correctly, they won't even know you are doing it. This way the previously "unmotivated" student, feels the he/she has stumbled on to their motivation on their own. And that is ALWAYS the best thing to happen!!
Hi Michael,
I commend you for your efforts in unlocking the learning formulas for each of your students. By seeing and realizing growth and progress in each student you can look with satisfaction at the efforts you are putting forth.
Gary
My frustration ceases as soon as I can honestly identify for myself ways in which a struggling student has moved forward in their attempt to comprehend the material. I've stopped expecting ALL students to always keep up with every new concept, and instead have strived to at least try to have every student moving forward, in some measurable way, in their studies. If they can't fully understand something, at least they can accept their struggling and come to terms with what might require some extra effort. Not being frustrated with frustration is a good start. Also, for each new student that has a particular impediment to learning a particular concept there is a new way of teaching or explaining that I as a teacher need to discover or formulate
I look at the job as "moving students forward". Sometimes a failing student will learn more about their career possibilities and advance towards their best path.
Well, Bill, I may get in trouble for saying this but...
...at some point you have to begin to question the admission policies of the school.
I always tell people that it doesn't take big ego to stand in front of a classroom, just a robust one. If you can honestly look at yourself, your skills and your abilities and succeed with the majority of students you are entrusted to educate then I think one has to start looking at whether these students were prepared to be in your classroom in the first place.
Anger, disappointment and hurt with yourself in these situations just can't be good for you or the students with which you succeed.
Richard - I value your approach and attitude. I likewise feel committed to every student who enters my classroom to offer them the safest and most supportive environment to achieve the goals and objectives for that class. Fortunatley, I work in an insititution where tutoring services are strongly advocated and promoted and they are free to the student. But, I still find myslef in the position that irregardless of mine and other's efforts, the student is incapapble of reaching the minimal level of competency to pass the course. And, I find this difficult, not only for the student but also for myself, given the effort I have put forth in trying to work with and assist some of these students. And, I am not angry, I am more hurt and disappointed in myself.
Hi Joseph,
Good approach to offering your students total instruction. You are giving them both specific skill development opportunities as well as the supportive knowledge that will help them to be successful. The key as you mention is keeping the even keel. Some days it is difficult to do as we all know.
Gary
HELLO...FRUSTRATION CAN INDEED BE A MOTIVATOR TO SOME BUT I FIND IN MY WORLD, IT IS A HUGH DETERRENT FOR INSTRUCTORS AS WELL AS STUDENTS. TRYING TO TEACH CULINARY ARTS TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE NEVER COOKED OUTSIDE THE HOME CAN BE FRUSTRATING FOR THE CHEF OF 20 YEARS.AS A CHEF INSTRUCTOR, NO MATTER HOW BAD OR FRUSTRATING THE SITUATUION GETS, YOU CAN NEVER EVER LET THIS SHOW TO THE STUDENTS. KEEP ON AN EVEN KEEL,WALK SOFTLY AND STAY FOCUSED.FOR THE STUDENTS IT CAN BE JUST AS FRUSTRATING OR EVEN WORSE. THEY ARE PAYING TO BE TAUGHT BY PROFESSIONALS AND THERE IS SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO COOKING OTHER THAN CARROTS AND ONIONS. LOTS OF PATIENCE IS NEEDED AND A LOT OF EXTRA HOURS TO TEACH AND REINFORCE KNIFE SKILLS, FRENCH, MATH AND COMPUTERS AND SO ON. THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE THOSE IDS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE SO ENCOURAGING THE STUDENTS TO ASK FOR HELP, ASK TO BE SHOWN AGAIN IS TANTAMOUNT FOR THEIR LEARNING. I HAVE SEEN MANY STUDENTS GET CUT, BURNED AND BURNED OUT TO THE POINTR OF GIVING UP AND QUITTING. I PERSONALLY TRY TO SSEE THAT NEVER HAPPENS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
Hi Richard,
Yes, it does put you on the hook but as an educator I am sure that this is a hook that you don't mind being on, since you get to help students in the process. Keep working at keeping them engaged and you will enjoy being an instructor for years to come. You are creating a legacy for yourself and your field by educating the next generation of individuals for your field.
Gary
Hi Michael,
Thank you for sharing this great example of why we are instructors. You did have an impact on the life of this student even if it wasn't at the standard that is expected for that course.
Gary
Frustration is a great motivator for some and for some it is a deterent!
As an instructor i have faced this challenge with students that have a limted ability and as busy as i am i thy to make sure that every student gets something out of my classes and ask if it needs to be repeated. Just seeing the light come on just once helps my frustration.
Maybe its my background in project management but when I am in this situation (and lets face it we're ALL in this situation a lot more than we should be)
my primary concern is actually fixing the problem.
When I find a student that does not have the requisite skills to learn the course material I think it behooves me to connect the student with the various tutoring and support groups on the campus and do everything I can to ensure that student does not fail.
Part of this may be my personal teaching style. I try to make a classroom a safe place where students can speak their minds and ask their questions without fear of looking inexperienced or unqualified. Part of building that safe place means that I have to assure them, as students, that if they do the work I ask of them, I will not let them fail.
This, sort of, puts me on the hook. But it seem to work for me, and more importantly, for the students as well.
