The ME generation student
In my classes and in my opinion I see a new generation of students acting like they're owed something. I especially see this when it comes to a projects due date. They also seem to think everything they do is worth an A grade. My question is how do you get students to take their responsibility more seriously and what is an A grade worth? I'm not saying all students act this way but it is in my opinion that a good majority of them are like this.
SHIVA,
Keep up the good work. I tell my students the same thing. They are not entitled to anything, they have to earn what they get. Many of the younger students have never been told that before so they are shocked when they have to work to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I see this as well in my classes. I try to stress that in a real world situation, there is no entitlement. Only skill and hard work are rewarded.
Val,
My students are much like yours in terms of not seeing the value of listening to and learning from professionals in the field, not to mention the network connections that can be made from talking with such professionals. I bring in these professionals to speak to my classes and I do as you are make attendance at theses presentations a part of their grade. Once they come they start to see the value of these presentations and the content I am offering.
The critique strategy is one that I think is going to work well with you because not only are you grading them but their peers are as well. This should get their attention so they will work even harder to bring quality to their submissions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You are so very right. I too bring industry professionals in through a non-profit org I belong too but it's been really tough getting the students to actually go to these events.
So tough that I have resorted to making the students go as part of their project grade. I've also given it out as extra credit if they go.
I'm now getting a few to actually go to these events and the students that do go seem to come back with a positive view on their chosen profession. I'm hoping they spread their experiences with other students so more will go. I'm still working on it so lets hope it spreads like wildfire.
As for the issue with my students always wanting an A grade for everything they do I think I've come up with a solution.
I teach graphic design so we already do in class critiques on student projects but now I'm going to have the students express what grade they think each project is worth along with the in class critique.
In my world as a graphic designer its very important to get the student to grow a thick skin so they are not offended when their work isn't liked by the ones criticizing it. I teach my students to defend their work but to also be able to take constructive criticism from others. I think letting them put a letter grade to the project when we're doing a class critique will help them understand not everything is worth an A grade.
We'll see what happens but I think this will help them understand it takes really hard work to get an A grade.
Val,
Not real sure how to answer your question because I am dealing with it in my own classes. The entitlement culture is tough. I strive to make sure the students see the value of what I am teaching them and how I am helping them to move toward their career goals. Just because they pay tuition does not mean they get an A. They need to be convinced that they must earn the A. I use a lot of guest speakers from the field to reinforce the knowledge and skill sets they need to have to be successful. This seems to help a lot because they are hearing it from people with whom they will be working in the future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
