I currently have a student who is new to my class and has had difficulty turning in assignments on time. Initially I thought it might be due to him adjusting to a new instructor but have since determined he is very good at finding excuses and shifting the blame to others. My due dates are very clear and included on each assignment. I also remind students when they have assignments coming due. In two cases I offered to allow this student to bring documentation showing why he was unable to turn in the assignments but he was unable to provide them. I've reviewed policies and expectations with him and have remained consistent in inforcing them. I hope this will encourage him to complete the work and turn it in on time.
Hi Nancy,
Absolutley! We are some of ours students only role model.
Patricia Scales
In private, I keep redirecting the conversation back to their behavior and reminding them that we are not meeting to talk about the behavior of others. It is not unusual to have to do this multiple times as the student's goal is to redirect the discussion away from them.
I have found that if you do not allow this to occur eventually they will stop shifting blame and a discussion of their behavior will follow
As professionals, we need to model responsibility and accountability.
I ask the students to take an honest look at their behavior and analyze their part and what they can do differently.
I ask to meet with these students individually. I begin by saying that I have noted they are struggling with taking responsibility and identify the specific situations.
As I use active listening techniques, they usually share more detail into their rationalizations. I explain that in order to become a successful RN, they will have to be honest, truthful, and accountable. Ultimately, we are all in control of our own behaviors. I end by saying I have ultimate respect for them and know they will consider this discussion and adopt a new personal ethical code. Students rarely disappoint once they understand why changing behaviors will lead to their eventual success. Thanks, marie
I agree with Jeff. I think it is our responsibility to present the material in an interesting/engaging way that includes how it applies to "real life" but ultimately it is the students responsibility to learn the material. I had an instructor who would say there are some students who can learn through osmosis but the majority of us have to make an effort. I have spent much of my time going over the instructions/syllabus to have some students say that they "never" got the information. I had one person ask as we were going over the instuctions, "...could you tell us what is important?" Not everything can be learned in a sound byte.
Hi Jill,
I like how you end this type of situation on a very positive note!
Patricia Scales
Usually, I help direct the student to reflect on different aspects of his/her complaint. I try to help them fragment there issues that they brought up to better understand their thinking or perspective. Once this has happened, they usually can see for themselves that the blame was misdirected. Then I direct them to self ownership if warrented. I like to end our conversation with " what would you have done differently? " to envoke a positive self direction for handling similar future events or behaviors.
Wow. That is a great way to deal with it though one that could be fraught with a lot of difficulty. It sounds like you were able to handle it well and I congratulate you but that one had the potential to get really out of control very easily.
The only person that can change you is you and you have to be the one to decide to do it. I have often said that I can not make anybody do anything. Yes, we can encourage them byut they still have to take ownership and do it and the sooner the better for them but it is till up to that individual to do it.
I agree. Students need to learn to take responsibility for their own actions and today's society is littered with examples of those who are always blaming others. I am not saying that is right only that it exists.
Blaming others dates back to Adam and Eve, Adam blamed Eve, Eve passed it off on the snake. It is in our human nature not to own up. We need to be able to listen and then off up positive feedback to the student that will help them over come the problem.
Hi Alana,
I like how you hold every student accountable, and they get to evaluate their peers.
Patricia Scales
I have also placed students in groups which involved weekly group assignments and each of the members had to to be present in class to receive full credit for that particular weekly assignment. This seemed to work well because it involved peer pressure and more involvement from each student. At the end of the assignment, each student rated each others contribution. The ratings and comments were anonymous therefore, I handed each person's comments made about their contribution. This provided much insight to many students.
It is a big challange dealing with students who blame others for their lack of success. My way of getting through to these students is hold each student accountable for everything they are required to do for the class. Each student needs to realize they are the only one to blame. No one else. You also have to make the students realize that in the real world they have to be responsible for their own actions.
I have a student who has been to 3 colleges. He hasn't finished because of something "they" did. I make it a point to ask his opinion or suggestions. If he feels included, I have less interruption from him.
In my class any of that is usually centered around the inability to perform a lab project due to the number of students in class. I just put their focus into a different project
Hi Myrna,
I like how you hold the students accountable. Accountability is everything.
Patricia Scales
I make sure that it's not a problem with the clarity of the assignments, then see what I can do to talk to the student about how he/she can avoid the problem in the future.
For example, if a student says that she emailed me the homework, but it didn't go through, I may ask her to please make sure to print in out in the future just in case there is a problem with the email again, and that she may hand it in the following day.
