Hi Michael,
You are right! It is hard to change students. Continue to do what's right as an instructor and hopefully the student will want to make a change based on your professionalism.
Patricia
Personal history, not only from your own, but from the students families or friends can help them process the thoughts they will make them shift from blaming to taking responsibilities of their actions. Give student always something to think about would make them more positive towards their life. Repetition and constant encouragement from teachers is a must.
Changing the person is not easy. Doing everything that we can, as tachers to assure that our students are successful is a better option. If a student is morose about lack of success, make sure that this pattern ends in your class. Work with that student so that they achieve success.
Hi Emily,
Regardless of the reason, you are right, students need to know these type of things are not going to fly in the workplace.
Patricia
I sit down with the student and try to discuss the reasons for their blame shift. Some reasons could be legitimate, such as the student's parents kicked him/her out of the house, or it could be something silly, such as his/her alarm clock didn't go off. I try to work with the student for the legitimate issues and refer him/her to the necessary people (such as a therapist for family issues). For the silly issues, I try to discuss with the student that he/she must be responsible for his/herself, and those kinds of excuses won't work with future bosses!
I always ask them if there is anything I can do differently to help them. I stress that adult students must take responsibility for their own learning, but that the school has resources to assist students who are struggling. Some students' lives are so full and complicated that they need to take a leave of absence to reorganize their lives. When they return, their marks often improve greatly.
Look in the mirror. Change oneself and others changes will follow.
Hi Jerry,
How do you handle students who shift blame to others?
Patricia
I make a clear goal so they can see what is required of them and when the assignment is to be accomplished.
Hi Jennie,
I concur! They simply do what they know how to do best, what they have been exposed to all of their life. It will take everyone pulling together to change this mindset.
Patricia
I had a student like that. In the beginning of the quarter we began to talk and found out that we were from the same geographical area. We developed a rapport with that conversation. She had missed a class or two dealing with the administrative office, so of course that was excused. Into the semester, she just flat out stopped coming to class. When she did pop in she always begged for additional time for assignment submission, and for make-up exams. I didn't change course. I reminded her of the expectations and requirements. When the mid-term assessments were issued, she was disappointed at her grade, butcontinued not to buy in to the commitment. Toward the end of the semester, she tried to come to class more, but at that point it is EXTREMELY difficult to improve a failing grade. Althought she did well on her final, all of the assignments that she failed to turn in (Major assignments that carried major weight towards her final grade) cost her passing the class. Of course, according to her, I failed her. I always tell my students from the beginning of the class, "I don't determine how you will do in this class - you determine your own outcome." I also tell them that the same is in the workplace. "YOUR attitude determines YOUR altitude."
I let the students talk about their experiences and then I remind them that ultimately, they are responsible for their own learning. Additionally, I say, 'Allowing others to interfere with your education means you are giving power to others. What can we do to change this?
That sounds like something that would get said by some of my students. I think it's important to remember though that this type of behavior is learned. The target population that we bring into our college are students that have not learned to be successful. They don't know that being respectful means not interupting, or being to class on time. They don't know, because their parents don't know, and their parents don't know because their grandparents didn't know. It goes back over many generations.
What your talking about is a paradigm shift that takes more than just a single course to turn around. The whole college needs to understand the implications and buy into demonstrating success for the students, so they can learn to do it on there own.
Jennie
Hi Tonetia,
Yes, and also let them know that they need to take responsibility for their own actions.
Patricia
Speak with the student one on one and emphasize that they are in control of their success.
Blaming others is an easy way out, but there comes a time when there will be no one to point the finger at. When students have tried to use this ploy to shift blame, I have always nodded my head with understanding and compassion in my eyes. Then I gently instruct on the reality of taking responsibility regardless of extenuating circumstances. There will always be obstacles and difficulties in life, the key is to learn to perservere will tenacity. There is no feeling greater than when success is realized despite encountering road blocks. A great way to convey this to students is by personal stories, guest speakers and stories from students.
Hi Rhonda,
How do you handle students that will put fingers at everyone else except themselves?
Patricia
Thank you, I have been a paralegal for years and listening to the story lets me analyze and look for additional information to make my decisions.
Hi Rhonda,
At least you have a worthy conversation with the student. I really like how you put the responsibility back on the student. Students need to know that they must be held accountable.
Patricia
I try to get them focused in on the assignment first, when talking with them. I then ask them to give me a particular time/date when they will have the assignment turned in within my set late policy. I explain that this is not something that is allowed on a regular basis. I deduct according to set policy. I talk with the student to make sure they understand.
