Holding students responsible for their actions
This will help students in their future
I have the same issue. As a clinical coordinator, I have students that come up with mutlitple excuses and take no responsibility. Its like they have an entitlement since they pay for school. In addition, I could be on the phone with a site and a student walks in and interupts. We must keep our door open. I put a sign on my door and still doesn't work.
I am going to disagree that this is simply a development of the younger generation. To me, that is a biased statement that perpetuates the stereotype that "young'ins" dont know how to work hard. As an instructor at a career college I have a healthy mix of young and older students. I find that it isn't a generational trend of entitlement; rather it is case-by-case. I have some younger students that are incredibly lazy and entitled. However, for every lazy young student there is a hardworking, intelligent, determined young student as well. I actually find that the adult learners tend to be much more needy and entitled than the kids fresh out of high school.
Perhaps it is because I am younger than most of the students I teach but sometimes I feel more like a provider to a consumer than a teacher to students. Some of that pressure comes from the very nature of secondary career colleges; we are helping these students improve their situations and if they don't succeed it is often "our fault". They are given promises of improved economic standing for little work. In this way we are setting them up for failure before they even begin.
The most important thing is to treat every student as an individual. Until they prove me wrong I chose to give students the benefit of the doubt.
Hi Francine,
All students should be held accoutable to the same rules. Being fair is a must.
Patricia Scales
If we let one student go for this reason or that then its not fair to all the other students!
It seems as though no one is willing to accept responsibility for thier mistakes. We all make mistakes and should live with thier consequences. Our students should not be any different.
Hi Julie,
What a response! I agree fully! I can tell you geniunely care about your students. It really is simple, students have to learn how to communicate with their instructors, we simply need to know what's going on so that we can help them.
Patricia Scales
I disagree with holding students responsible for their actions by a sat consequence if the work is not done on time. I'm sorry, how many of us had been always on time with every deadline.
There needs to be communication between instructor and student and individual plans of action when it comes to needing extended time.
So you need more time?
May I know why?
Did you communicate with me before hand of your problems and difficulties?
An emergency happen okay so what is your plan to get this done. How long will you need.
Can you do this over the weekend and have it in my mail box before next class time?
Have you been late before and what was the reason then?
Even hey I'm sorry for "that tragedy" I encourage you to don't give up. Here in a couple of days after you had some time, let's get together and get this done
I have told my students that I can do much if I just know, arrangements can be made. I asked them to let me know ahead of time and personally that they are having difficulty and we come up with ways they can get through
Not all college students have learned these skills in high school. Some of them have learned, I don't get it, why bother, they don't care. They are just earning a paycheck.
Show them you care, even bend over backwards to help them and they will began to care about how much you know and not only just passing your class but actually learning the material that your class presents. I believe truth and communication is much more valuable to an employer than deadlines and in the long run their employees will respect them and be more attentive in their job than complaining on their break
I do know that some students would take advanatage of this, but where, more improtantly why have they learned how to be "deceitful" and "play the game." You don't know their hearts, but they will learn yours.
Hi Kimberly,
I have with the younger generation. They are used to being given everything. We have to make them see that they have to work to get what they want.
Patricia Scales
I have found that the student body has changed drastically over the past 6 years. Students perceive themselves as consumers and faculty should be at their beck and call. I have had some students who work very hard while others do not and do not expect there to be any ramifications to their bad behavior or lack of effort. Are other faculty seeing this as well?
Hi Thomas,
I concur! Teaching students how to be great employees begin in the classroom.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jason,
Absolutely! Students need to know how to take responsibility of their action.
Patricia Scales
We are trying to model students into good employees. Being responsible is a key in being a good employee. Some students don't realize this until it is shown to them through discipline and other methods
Accountability is a required trait in the working world. To be a reliable employee and to retain employment a person must be able to complete tasks and be responsible for the work they do.
I totally agree. It forces them to realize that there are consequences for what they do or DON"T do.
Hi Lovett,
Absolutely, in the real world they must take responsibility for their own action.
Patricia Scales
