Eva,
I am having a lot of these types of students as well. It is a challenge to get them to think in creative ways and work hard at solutions. They do want the "trophy" for just showing up and that trophy is an A in the course. I use industry/business standards as well because that is who will be measuring them and their success in the future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There is a sence of entitlement in the student population today. Many are coming from the era where you get a trophy just for showing up. I hold my standards to those of the industry & explain to the students that grades are based just like any job; the more you do, the higher the grade/pay & vice versa. Many of these entitled "students" have yet to even know what responsibility & ownership is all about.
Apryl,
Yes, we do as hard as it may be. If I do not have high standards in my class and require that my students meet these standards then employers will not want my graduates. My students have to work hard and have self discipline if they are going to make it through my course but the end result will be the acquisition of the needed knowledge and skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Alexandra,
Your message is a common one that many of us instructors encounter. Success is based upon hard work and self discipline and many of our students today do not want to invest in themselves. They feel by paying tuition they are entitled to a passing grade just as you say. As I am training them to enter into and be successful in their career field I cannot just pass them. They have to earn their grades. This causes some problems but I am confident in my position and have support of my administration. No effort, no grade.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Entitlement tends to be this generations self-belief because of over parenting, too many structured activities when they were kids, and the always getting a"trophy" just for showing up. As instructors we have to let them know that as adults they will neeed to create their own structures now to be successful in life.
Students sense of entitlement is one of the biggest draw backs in the development of the critical thinking skills. This sense of entitlement results in the students not putting in the hard work and dedication that leads to them being informed on a topic. With no effort or discipline they frequently are unable to draw valid conclusions or problem solve. Still they expect to be passed.
Sandy,
I have encountered this as well. I base my course requirements on the standards of the field so deadlines are deadlines and being on time is a must. When they don't they don't come into my class and suffer the consequences of being absent. I have even locked the door to my classroom at 4:00 pm when class starts. Several students (those that had been warned and were always late) were locked out. I let them in at break which was at 5:30. They were never late again. They didn't like it and grumbled but they did come around because they finally realized that I was not asking of them anymore than what an employer would ask.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I definitely have noticed students having a sense of entitlement. I think back to when I was in college, and there is NO WAY we would have gotten away with what the students get away with now. Things like showing up late to class, or turning in assignments late. But that is our fault also. How did it get this way? Because little by little, we as instructors allow students to do these things. It makes our job difficult when we are encouraged by administration to "work with your students". Basically they are saying, "just allow them to turn in things late", is what I feel we are being told to do. If I really put my foot down and didn't allow any late assignments...majority of my students would fail the class. Sad.
Rickey,
Many of my students come to class with an "entitlement" attitude because they have paid tuition so are entitled to an A whether they come to class or do the work or not. I explain that my job as a professional educator as well as a member of a professional field is to train them to become professionals in my field as well. I let them know that I am going to hold them to the standards of field because I want to make sure that when they graduate they will have the knowledge and skill sets needed for career success. If they are not interested in meeting those standards that is fine but they will not be passing my course unless they meet those standards, period. I appreciate your stance and I commend you for holding the line and demanding effort from your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have an issue with some of my students, who share the belief that if they pay for a college education that attending the actual class isn't necessary. I have begun to integrate more socratic teaching methods in all my classes going forward to assist me in identifying the students with those particular learning behaviors. This approach is returning great immediate results, while refocusing the true why are we here question.
Stephanie,
Sharing is what it is all about in relation to personal growth. Hearing from others, asking questions, researching solutions to problems, etc. are all ways that a student enhances his or her knowledge about the topic. This is a part of the journey of discovery for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This definitely stood out to me as well! Especially when they realize that they have to do work in order to earn a good grade! I love to pose questions for my class and I allow a good pause so that people start answering. If they don't, I'll continue asking more questions and usually someone can't sit still any more without stating his/her opinion. I think this is so important, though.
Sharilynn,
Good point about the use of case studies. Case studies forces the students to start thinking and helps them move away from the spoon feeding and entitlement phase a little. It is a slow process but if we can help them to start thinking on their own in relation to problem solving we will have helped them move closer to their goal of career success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with both entries. I find that many of my students have a strong attitude of entitlement and a dependence on spoon feeding for much of their education. I work very hard to challenge them in order to break that cycle of dependence on baby food. I find that once they get a taste of some "educational steak" they start perking up and I start having some very exciting classes. I too use a lot of case studies in teaching, they seem to enjoy the discussions and then I start guiding them to some deeper and more analytical thinking.
Dena,
I have a similar bunch. Moving them from entitlement to self discipline to critical thinking is a challenge. I use a lot of case studies and examples to show them no one is entitled to anything, success must be earned. Some get the message and are successful others just sit there and stare.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
