Hi Tangee,
I hear you! I love your approach. By asking questions you get the students to realize it is all on them.
Patricia Scales
Times like this require asking questions and listening. Best policy, let them blame and then start asking questions.
Scenario: Student says, "Mrs. Smith is failing me in med terms!" I say, "Really? Did Mrs. Smith do your assignments, take your quizzes, tests, etc?"
Student always get stuck when you start asking questions. I like the students to begin realizing they are responsible for their actions, words and beliefs. Putting blame on someone only makes matters worse and complaining never works with me.
Hi Allison,
I tell students that I do not want to hear excuses, let's focus on a resolution.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mark,
I like what you do to get students to see that they are solely responsible for their own actions.
Patricia Scales
Although I am not in the classroom, I am responsible for coordinating clinical rotations. My course does have responsiblities and assignments and it is a common occurence to have students blame their problems on fellow classmates, amongst several other things. I try to get my student to focus on the problem at hand and not involve other students or past issues. Keeping the student in the here and now is extrememly important, along with concerning themselves with their own issues and no one else's.
I take the time to meet with the student and ask them to present their concerns to me, just as they would to a job supervisor. We then retrace the steps of what occured and I ask the student how they could have handled it better. Typically, they acknowledge that they lacked ownership of their own affairs. I then remind them that they are adults and must think before acting and blaming others. We also will talk about "what if" scenarios, so they do not continue to shift blame.
I will meet with them independently and review the class assignment turn-in requirements from the syllabus. I then try to engage them in a conversaton to make sure there isn't a serious problem in their lives that is keeping them from there classwork. Then, together we come up with a plan such as a calendar, and / or turning in assignments via e-mail, and making myself available at specific times if the student is having trouble with the assignment. The idea is to remove the oportunities for the student to blame others as much as possible so they can see that they have to take sole responsibility for their work.
While it's true that there are some students who will inevitably "Never assume responsibility for their own actions", they can still be "Led" in the classroom by the instructors. Question: "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time!" I believe you need to develop a "better" relationship w/ the student, in order to see things the way they do. Only then, can you begin to "re-arrange" the manner of their convoluted logic. Put them as the focus of a peer-group exercise, and their fellow students will actually begin to change their thinking-manner. It won't cure them immediately, but it'll give them a totally different perspective on how others actually see them. It will make a dent in how fast the elephant gets eaten.
Hi Jesse,
I concur! Well stated. The ball is in their court, it is up to them to do what they want to with the ball.
Patricia Scales
Hi Dr. Makia,
This has been my experience as well. We have to teach these students lessons, and show them for every choice their is a consequence.
Patricia Scales
This happens so much in my classes... blaming other students, time, the admissions counselor, etc., that I find it frustrating. I have taken up using our professional code of ethics to help students examine their thoughts and behaviors and ask them where their responsibility lies as an ethical member of the profession. We often move into their denial of any responsibility, so I try to get them to re-frame the situation to see it from another perspective.
I teach sculpture & design
I often tell my students that a tree is known by its fruit.
When graduation day comes all of thier art will be on display for the world to judge & criticize.....
The excuse makers often don't show up for thier own graduation or are so ashmed they dont even have a display....
I have talked with this type of student and tried to help them.
I think it comes down to desire.
Often people fantasize about being an artist.
They simply arent prepared for the reality....
Which is much more difficult and less glorious on many levels....
In the end they often realize the truth 2 late...
We are responsible for our own actions or lack thereof....
Jeff,
I, too express to my students that they are accountable for their actions; however, some seem to not understand the importance of them taking responsibility of their own actions.
There has to be consequences (i.e., earning a 'zero' for missed projects, losing points for coming in late, etc.) in order for them to take the class seriously.
I go through this problem every term. Students have to know that there are consequences---otherwise, they will not take the class serious enough.
This has been my experience.
At times, it is the fault of others. I have students identify those in their lives who are "with" them, "for" them, and "use" them. Bringing these realities to the surface can lead to class discussions and life strategies. I have found it important to encourage students to stay in our classrooms/labs after their classes are over for the day. They can study alone or in their study groups. Instructors are available, also.
Hi Kimberly,
I agree this is a challenge. Continue to work hard to help them understand the importance of accountability. If you can get one to see the importance, you've made a difference.
Patricia Scales
I make sure to listen to what the student is telling me as to the events taking place in his/her life that has caused the performance then I offer encouragement for the student, attempt to shift the focus to the desired end result of graduation,a better job, a better life. I also tell them of the struggles I went thru when I was a student and tell of events that have taken place after graduation as a soft skill lesson that life is not going to pause for school or even after graduation. At some point the student will be a professional and left will go on there will be deadlines and expectations to meet.
I agree with the whole accountability act but I have a difficult time getting the students who need to accept this actually buy it. For some students, it's just such a way of life that they have a difficult time seeing they actually are responsible for themselves.
Hello Clay
Yes, the syllabus is an excellent document to ensure that individual student expectations are noted with regard to assignments. I believe we have the responsibility to let them know that they earn their grade predicated on their effort.
Al
When dealing with a student who blames others for their lack of success it is best practice to have a conversation with this student in private. A matter raised by the student should not be discussed in an open forum. If the student attempts to do this, it is appropriate to ask them to discuss this issue with you during a break and in private.
I would first listen to the student’s complaint. I would ask for specific details citing how their success was diminished because of others. In that most assignments are individual tests and papers, I would be interested to know the rational of how others negatively affected his or her grade.
I would thank them for advising me of their concerns and then I would provide my explanation predicated on the comments they articulated.
Another strategy would be to ask them after their explanation what they could have done better to be successful in the assignments in question. I would focus on his or her efforts to earn their grade.
Al
Enforce the idea of accountability and how at the end of the day you are the only one responsible for themselves. I often have students who blame other students for doing poorly and my response is to remind them that they are here for themselves and they can't allow other people that amount of control in their lives. We need to take personal responsibility for ourselves.
