Hello Faith,
Yes, it is their choice, but as instructors we have to try to get these students on track. Have a serious conversation with them.
Patricia
The first part is being capable of identifying the students who are being challenged by either the subject matter or the content. Then one needs to do a needs assessment and try to bridge the gap. Students become distant or loose their focus to the content when life happens.
My most challenging students are those who want to use every excuse in the book for not having done something they were supposed to do. To me, it appears as if they have been successful with their manipulation and excuse tactics in the past, and now they think they will work on me. I find it most effective to ensure I have rock-solid policies to deal with the situations as they arise (late work, attendance, punctuality, etc.). Then I have something to support my decisions that was implemented at the beginning of the course. Also, my policies usually have an option that puts the student in control of their education (eg, they can choose when to use their free pass on a late assignment). Putting the decisions and responsibility back on them is a tremendous help.
I have found that the ones who sit in or near the back of the room present certain challenges. they usually are the ones who may be texting on the phone or carrying on conversations not relevant to the lesson.
One strategy I use is to be more mobile when they least expect it. I can usually tell by the posture when they are texting and can usually hear them when they are talking and will ask them to share with the class.
I have considered seriously changing the seating arrangement so that those in the back of the class will be seperated and brought to the front.
Do you think this will penalize those that sit in the front now?
I tend to involve the unfocused student as much as possible, by either placing the student in a small group, or by involving them in assisting me. You also need to create enough excitement in your delivery to try and keep these students involved and focused.
Hi Craig,
These students like to put the blame on everyone except themselves. These students have to be taught to be responsible for their action.
Patricia
Hi Abigail,
I tell the student up front what the answer is, but I do show them where the answer can be found. By taking this approach, the students knows off the bat I know the answer, and then I show them the page where they could have easily find the answer.
Patricia
Hello Elizabeth,
There are some college students who do not have a sense of responsbility. Everything had always been done for them. I have a real adult conversation with these students.
Patricia
I have also come into contact with young and older students that seem to have the same unfocused approach to classes. Either it is their age or they think they have something better to do than be in college. It is their choice right? Well, most of the time.
Faith
My most challenging students are those that have never been given responsibility. I keep after the students by constantly making it known that I care about whatever situations they are dealing with and I work with them to make sure they are understanding material and they make deadlines.
I agree with you on this one. I had a student tell me one time she looked for hours for an answer in the text, it just was not there. When I found the page I thought I would always teach "let’s look it up". Wrong, if you do not give them the answer they think you do not know, not that you are trying to teach a skill to help their entire life.
I sure agree with that comment! I've had so many "just out of high school" students who have the attitude of entitlement. They expect a perfect score in the class and aren't willing to work for it. I, as the teacher, become the reason why they didn't get that perfect grade.
Hi Andrew,
Some students simply do not care and simply do not want to be there. It is sad but true. Continue to not give up on the student. Try talking to the student about what you have noticed to see if this makes a difference.
Patricia
Hi Christina,
You immediately let your students know they are no special favors granted nor or grades/answers given. You get what you've earned.
Patricia
Hi Lisa,
Even though you may be younger than some of your students, if you handle yourself professionally at all times, you are prepared for classes, and very knowledgable about the subject matter, students tend not to make a big deal about age.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
It can be challenging to deal with students who do not see the benefit of taking the course and those who feel as though they know everything. I simply have private conversations with these students.
Patricia
Christina,
I agree completely. This idea that you can keep trying until you pass is not consistant with life in the work place. We are setting our students up for failure if we do that. There are winners and loosers,and loosing is a form of motivation to do better next time.
I believe the most challenging students are those who think they already know the material or don't need it. Incorporating active learning exercises into my lesson plans has been quite successful for me. Since I teach general education communication skills, these exercises are designed to link communication with their majors.
The students I tend to have more problems with are the ones right out of high school. They are sometimes still a little to immature and have things that need to be addressed. I occasionally have issues with some older ones due to the fact that I am a lot younger than them and sometimes they see that as a barrier.
Wanting special favors, "I deserve the A", you should give me the answer (when a critical thinking question is posed and the instructor is trying to get students to answer another deeper question or get them to do research), etc. There was an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education about it and there is a new book called Generation Me that explains how students come in with this expectation. I no longer teach but am a Dean of Faculty and help to guide instructors on this topic.
