Accountability is extremely important at my institution. Our students are being prepared for entry into the healthcare industry, and many of them will have access to hard copy and electronic records. Non-conformances and shifting blame presents risks for patients, the educating institution, and the student.
JoAnn Hooper
I would have the student own the responsibility for them completing their projects and assignments within the assigned deadline. I would have the student work with a group. This would encourage the importance to performing their assignments in a timely manner for the benefit of the group. This sense of responsibility should reflect in their individual tasks as well.
I agree, getting the students to take ownership of their problems helps with making a productive class.
When I work with students I generally remind them of why they decided to come to school and the goals they set. I also remind students that they should always move forward; standing still, spinning their wheels over something, or blaming others is not moving them forward.
Bring it back to them, and ask why? why is what is going with others a factor with what you are doing now!
I have many students who do have challenging schedules and that make sure I know about these challenging schedules, sometimes at least, that they are looking for understanding, sometimes that are looking for assignment forgiveness. I try to listen attentively to the student and then say something like, "Yes, I understand that it can be difficult to do work & (fill in the blank). As a professional, there will always be time challenges and it is important to learn how to figure out what is most pressing and what can realistically be accomplished. The trick is being honest with yourself and doing your best under your time constraints." Whatever the reason, my policy of on-time assignment delivery stands.
Hi Candace,
Great correlation pointed out! I handle these scenarios of shifting blame as if the student were in the workplace.
Patricia
I try and emphasize the direct correlation betweem the coursework and their future job aspirations. I learned that making this connection early makes it easier to stress the importance of the coursework.
This blaming type of student mentality took over my class like a virus. This is a young just out of high school group, but there teachers previously had warned me of the importance of preparation to keep these students engaged. I was completely preppared but it wasn't what was happening neccesarily in the class, (handes on class lots of lab work, students that missed wanted me to go back and re-teach) it was all of the absences and tardies. I made no exceptions and it got to the point where I had to close the door, not allowing late students in until break. That woke 2 of the students up, as they didn't miss a class or show up late after that. But as for the rest no matter the grades they were receiving, no effort was made until the last day of class, which in the end was too late. Maybe failing one course will wake them up. I think the other down fall, was that they have a Face Book obsession, as they would call in sick but then would be posting on Face Book how much fun that they were having shopping .... They were very surprised, when I validated them not being able to take there final with this information. I also used this situation to explain how employers are now checking social media websites as a part of their hiring practices and that they need to be aware of what they are posting. I really want them to succeed as I see that they have the potential if they can just commit to it, but in the end some people need to hit rock bottom before they can pick themselves up and get themselves on the right track.
Hi Grace,
Great information to share with the students. I let my students know all the time, I do not want to hear anything about finger pointing because they are in control of their own destiny.
Patricia
“Ownership Spirit†-- I love the title and the concept. I give the speech of 4 methods to use when working with computers, projects, school, and life – 1) Use the KISS method (Keep It Simple Simple); 2) Give one clear instruction at a time; 3) If you have any doubts don’t do it until you are sure; and 4) Be willing to learn from your mistakes. I explain that I do not give grades they will earn them. We as instructors try to set responsible goals for the student to achieve.
Throughout the course,I remind the student to take charge of his/her destiny. Blaming others for things you don't do such as studying, or homework or asking questions about things they don't understand, will only transfer into bigger problems in life. Every decision one makes, are consequences good or bad. Taking ownership of your decisions is the first step into getting rid of the blame game.
Hi Donna,
What this type of student, as educators we have to do what we can to boost the confidence level.
Patricia
Hi Maria,
I see your point! First students need to realize that they are really at fault before anything can be done.
Patricia
I ask them to step back and look at the situation and how can they over come whatever it is they claim is holding them back.
I like this response, everyone has something good
to offer, sometimes this type of student is looking for attention for a reason. They are insecure making excuse after excuse.
I think that it is vitally important to clearly state your expectations from day one. You also need to impart upon the student that they are not only learning important course content but honing in on professional skills that they will need in order to be successful in their chosen careers.
Lori
hold them responsible for their share of work and to meet the deadline, with frequent reminders to the students. insisting on documentation for the excuses.giving another extra assignment to do as additional work for late submissionn and excuses.help students see the benefits of owning responsibility and dignity of standing up to their shortcommings.
Hi Deborah,
I like this approach! Every action a student takes should be put into perspective to the workplace.
Patricia
We have a policy in place at my school that holds students responsible for their behavior. No one is allowed to blame others but rather, feedback to students is given in the form of: How would this behavior be received in the workplace?
This way, like Thomas said, the event becomes an opportunity to make a mistake in as part of the overall learning process at our school. We always say, better to be doing it at school than experiencing it for the first time in the workplace.
