Wasting Parents money
So, when you come across a student or student(s) who are bored with the entire learning process and have become somewhat notorious around campus for their poor attitude and less than enthusiastic approach to the curriculum, when do you say enough is enough? usually someone else is footing the bill for them to go to school so they do not seem at all concerned about wasting time and money What are some ways to counteract their lackluster attitude so it will not diminish the positive spirit of the other students who are trying to make a difference in their life?
Exactly, Nannette! Students' behavior are not what we think ie. being disinterested in the course. If it is not out of our boundaries, we should approach the student and offer help outside the classroom if allowed or ask if there is anything the student needed to become more engaged...
Nannette,
You make a good point about student respect. Respect is a two way street. It needs to be earned by the instructor as well as the students. This way with mutual respect the groundwork is laid for the development of rapport.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
What I have found that with these type of student's that there is an underlying cause for this behavior. It may have nothing to do with "wasting money" when in fact it could be other factors going on in the home. I've had student's where they weren't receiving the support from family members, boyfriends and so on. I've had some that were being evicted from their home. With these problems and the stress of classes they tend to act out. I've found that having a good heart to heart helps to tone down the behavior, most of the time. And in the end the student respects you more.
Thank for reminding me that some students just need to be shown that we care and that we won't give up on them no matter how hard they may push.
Matthew,
Thank you for these tips on how to work with challenging students. It is important that instructors maintain their role as learning leaders and they can only do that if they are in control of the classroom. Your strategies will help other instructors to see ways that they can work through such situations with a positive outcome for everyone.
Gary
The first thing we have to consider is how we feel about their behaviors, and then put aside those feelings in order to best serve the students' needs. Such students can be very frustrating, and our first inclination might be to let them have it with both barrels, but those feelings must be tempered by the fact that while they may not seem to want or care for our mentoring, they still deserve it as our students.
My approach with such students in the past has been to point out the observable behaviors I've picked up on, and then relate what the situation appears to be from my perspective (using "I" statements). I try to remain nonjudgmental in discussing with them what I'm seeing. I ask them point blank what their motivations are for being in school and for the path they are taking. Sometimes their lack of interest or their poor attitude is merely masking a poor level of self-efficacy, or they are hiding the fact that they aren't getting the material and don't want to lose face with others, so they pretend not to care. I try to let them know I am there to help. I also offer our Student Resource Services information in case they need to speak to a counselor who may help them with issues that could be impacting their schooling.
I also let them know that while I understand why they might not be buying into the course or the program, I need them to not exhibit those behaviors which appear to be undermining either the class or the spirit of the other students. I try to enlist their agreement in not doing things that will disrupt others. If they are not agreeable, then I remind them of the student code of conduct rules about maintaining professional behaviors in the classroom and the school environment, and the possible repercussions if disruptive behaviors continue.
Mostly, however, I just try to let them know I care about their progress and I am available to help them in investing more into their education. I have, on rare occasion, even tried to help them see that perhaps at this point in their lives, this really isn't the path for them. That's easier to do if you can tap into what their true interests and motivations are, because then you can encourage them to pursue those, as opposed to discourage them from pursuing their current path.
