Hi Wanda,
I too like to give these students leadership roles, and if failure occurs, I start with the leader to see how they handle things so far as shifting blame. If blame is shifted, we go through the entire scenario so that they can understand who is truly at fault.
Patricia
Hi Wayne,
Shifting blame is not the way to go. Students must learn how to accept responsibility for their own actions. We must help students to realize whenever they are shifting blame, and get them to look at things from a different perspective.
Patricia
I have found that talking to the srudent,listening to the complains and then guiding them to the answer that they didn't do their part in achieving the goal
I agree it makes for societal problems when we blame others.
I like to place them in charge for an activity leader. If they are in charge, they cannot blame someone else, as it comes back to them and their role of taking responsibility.
I also will talk to them and go step by step where the problem occurred and what the student can do to avoid the problem in the future.
Hi Tonia,
It is imperative to be fair and firm with all students. Whenever every student is treated the same nothing can be said.
Patricia
Hi Mervat,
Work ethic and attitude can make you or break you in the workplace. We must provide our students with great constructive feedback while they are in school so that they can make exemplary employees.
Patricia
I believe that students shouldn't blame others for not doing well in class. They have to do their best first. We have to work with these students and make them understand that they have to change and work on improving their work habites and attitude.
I did not find mself in a situation where students are actualy blaming others for their lack of success.
they might have excuses of why homework is not finished.
I try to be stady and firm with all my students and be clear of my expectations.
Hi Sara,
Absolutey! We need to give our students what they have paid for...an education.
Patricia
Hi Jeff,
Great way to put the responsibility back on the student and give advice as well.
Patricia
Hi James,
This is a good thing to point out to students so that they can understand the other side.
Patricia
Hi Rickey,
Wow, how realistic. I can see how your students do not have time to shift blame. They are truly hard at work. Super way to motivate with a paycheck.
Patricia
I am an instructor at an auto repair school where I teach the last courses before graduation. The technical classroom is importatant but the "hands on" lab over shadows it. The students are four to a car with a work order for each student. They each must perform a task and are timed on a flat rate/hour/dollar scale. This level playing field allows friendly competition, a learning by repetition environment rewarded by a grade, a productivity certificate, and a "paycheck" on Friday. This is to simulate a real repair shop and prepare the students with confidence and hone the skills they have learned. We do not see much blame shifting---just very busy workers.
An effective strategy is to point out to the student how they might feel if they were unfairly on the other side of the blame shift.
When students blame others or have any type of excuse, I respond with the steps they should take in the future to work around whatever the excuse was. Examples might include starting assignments earlier (not the day they are due), or having a back-up plan for the inevitable virus/crash/hard drive failure. I try to keep it positive by being empathetic and focusing on the future. Something like, "I'm sorry that happened, but I can't accept late work in these circumstances. In the future you might try..."
As, teachers we believe that all students can learn. I like what you said they enrolled in the course, so we need to capture their interest and make them responsible for their actions.
Hi Robert,
Students must learn how to take ownership based on the actions/behavior. There are many people out there that will not take responsibility for their actions.
Patricia
Hi Erin,
It is easier said than done, but as instructors we must continue to encourage our students, and continue to remind them that hey have to be accountable for their actions.
Patricia
I always tell my students that we all make choices in life and the choices you make will have consequences. It is human nature to blame others. I also stress that their success is their hands, because they have to want to succeed to achieve it. All of this is easier said then done.
