Negative attitudes
How do you engage with students who allow their negative attitudes towards you affect their class participation?
Hi Anitra,
I am careful at advising students with personal problems. I refer them to our FREE Sudent Assistant Plan that has experts to help in areas where students have personal challenges.
Patricia Scales
I have the same issue in class and when I do talk to the student to find out what the issue is it does tend to be personal problems outside school. I do listen to the situation that they are currently challenge by however I do not offer my opinion or advise and refer them to our school counselor. How do you handle the situation?
First day of class,I had seen students have negative attitudes,sometimes I get discouraged too and my strategy is always get their attention by getting involved in the activities and make them the leader
Depending on the extent of the negativity I will either address it in class or call the student out into the hallway. I will make it clear at that time that the behavior will not be allowed to continue and if needed I will call in the help of Department Chair. That generally helps to modify bad behavior. Negativity affects the whole class and takes away for the learning experience of dedicated students.
If the student's behavior is disruptive in nature and causes the class to be interrupted, I will address the student immediately by asking them to step into the hallway. If it is negative body language not distracting others I will address the issue after class. Oftentimes I find the student has displaced personal issues and will give them the contact information to assist them in resolving their personal issues.
i had before students with bad attitute, and i used to talk with them after class,about behavier, and may be they need help
Hi Bee,
Our students have a lot going on. Most of the time, a negative student has an awful attitude due to personal things going on. A talk with this student normally brings about great improvement with the student.
Patricia Scales
I have at times, a lot of students who are negative about content of a class or the class in general. I sometime like to speak to them after class alone and ask what they would like to get out of the class. I also talk to them to try and get a background of why they have the negative attitude. I find at time it has nothing to do with the class but their home situations
Every now and then I"ll come across a negative student. What I usually do is just watch how they react to the class and see if it is school or if it personal. After class I'll pull them aside and ask the student if I can be of any help in any situation.
I have had this experience. It not only affects the rest of the class, but also can have a negative impact on an instructor's teaching. We get discouraged too! I try not to take it personally and tell myself that it is a contingent situation that can be worked out rather than an irreconcilable difference. I pay attention to the student, smile sometimes, ask questions, compliment, and in effect, try a little charm. If that doesn't work, I ask the student in a personal conversation how the class is going for them and how I can improve their experience.
Hi Chanelle,
The student needs to be spoken to quickly and swiftly to know that this type of behavior will not be tolerated because it would be totally unacceptable in the workplace. After speaking with the student, and the behavior does not change I would request that the student be removed from my class due to violating the conduct code-disrespectful.
Patricia Scales
