Get Your Students Hired
I agree... if they are avoiding taking responsibility in school, they are going to be in trouble on the job. I also remind them that there really aren't any "have-to's" in life. They have chosen to go to school-wanted to go to school. I try to remind themm of this... that they are not required to do homework but rather it is a component of a choice they made (going to school) to change their lives.
I make it clear on my syllabus the responsibilities of the student with respect to turning in work on time and the penalties for late work. Unless there is documentation, if a student is unprepared for class, I inform them of their responsibilities and extend that to professionalism.
Students love to blame others for their lack of success - spouse, children, and work. I listen to the circumstances, but always encourage them to take responsibility and learn to balance "life".
Hi Jeff,
I too give my students a big speil on being held accountable as it applies to school, life, and on the job.
Patricia Scales
I explain to students that they have to take responsibility for their own education. Nobody is going to do it for them, and if they fail, nobody will help them if they aren't willing to help themselves. Ultimately, they are solely responsible.
Hi Katherine,
I too use the same approach. I like to use different examples as they apply to on the job setting. Students really tend to get it when a GOOD example is used to help them see the point.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jessica,
At my institution, we have a caveat, which is unless there is an extenuating circumstance, but appropriate documentation must be provided as proof.
Patricia Scales
Hi Samuel,
I too take the same approach. I tell my students all the time, that I have given them what they need to be successful on the test, quiz, assignment, project, etc., but the rest is totally left up to them to pass and do well.
Patricia Scales
Be consistent with all students. Also when they do blame others asked them what they can learn from that situation and how this may relate to their career/job situation down the track. Sometimes I will use real life experiences from my past/career. For example yesterday was was telling me his room-mate crashed his computer. So I related the story that I had lost all my PhD thesis once, and after that took responsibility and always had a backup (or several).
Thank you Patricia, I agree that if you cover your bases that the students won't be able to find complaints or be able to blame.
Students who tend to shift blame to others need more opportunities to complete self-reflection excercises. Students should learn how to observe their own actions and how these actions contribute either to their success or failure.
Hi Heidi,
Always do a thorough job and students will have very little to complain about or nothing at all to complain about.
Patricia Scales
I find that many adult students try to fit themselves into the standard pedagogical model where emphasis of success is on the instructor/institution. I like to communicate to the class on day one, and often throughout the rest of the course, that they are in control of their academic success. I am more of a facilitator or coach - they have to execute to be successful. I sometimes use the analogy of a coach and sports team. I give them guidance and help them to discover self-motivation and realization that they are self-directing the learning process. In other words, I give them the encouragement and the "plays", but they must be the one to get the ball over the goal line.
I've had good results when I remind them they have take accept accountability and responsibility for their education.
Make sure that your outline of the course is understood. Highlight the due dates of projects and remind the students of the upcoming due dates. Be aware of those that are 'working you'. Give them the benefit of the doubt at first, because it may be a legitimate excuse, but keep an eye out.
I believe that the only true way to deal with students such as this is to help them realize that they cannot always be a victim and have everything excused becasue they will not accept responsibilty for themselves, their work, or their personal actions.
I know this ALL too well as both of my older sisters are like this (and have been their whole lives) and I deal with students every day that reduse to acknowledge that it just might be THEM that is the issue, not everyone else.
Tough love is sometimes the only way to get them to react to your words or listen to your comments.
Hi Kimberly,
Great point to make to students who shift blame. I like how you handled this, and you are right, this has to be handled with great tact and concern.
Patricia Scales
I listen to the student attentively so they know they have my full attention. After they place the blame on someone else, I ask them if this has changed what they are still responsible for. I explain that even the vents of others, does not displace the responsibilities and commitments we make to ourselves in order to progress. This usually helps put things into perspective and helps them to continue with what they need to do. the tone and manner in which this is said has to be done very appropriately so as not to be condescending.
Hi Elizabeth,
I agree, it can be very hard because as people we do not like to see any faults in ourselves. As a professional you must tactfully point this out to these type of students when the opportunity presents itself so that they can understand right then what you are talking about.
Patricia Scales
It can be very difficult to get these students to even realize that there is , in fact, a problem in the way inwhich they have been dealing up to this point.