The "excuse" student
In each class I have taught I have found that I usually have at least 1 syudent who has an excuse for everything, or at least most things. The best way I have found to deal with these type of students is to give them encouragement while at the same time making sure they understand the class grading policy does not make exceptions. After the first week these students usually get on bored and stop with the excuses.
Occasionally I will get a student who can not seem to get it together. This student is usally failing my class due to attendance issues, missing assignment issues, and participation issues. By mid term i end up having a very serious sit down discussion with this student and I find that not sugar coating the truth is most helpful for this kind of student. I lay out where they are at and where they are headed should they continue the course they are on. So far this seems to work really well.
This topic really hits home. I usually have at least one student who constantly has some health issue or some family tragedy to explain a missing exam or work. As an example. I have a student who came to class with pneumonia for two weeks wearing a mask and gloves. The this student could not "write" an assignment (I wanted to employ tactile/kinesthetic learning) because of bone spurs in the hand.
To be honest I am stumped. I have asked this student if they think they will be able to function in the professional world. They said they would, but the martyrdom continues. Any feedback will be appreciated.
Hi Kimberly,
Absolutely, one's time will be short lived in the workplace if being tardy becomes habitual.
Patricia Scales
I agree with this way of teaching. The first day of each semester, I review what is to be expected of the students. Along with the rules of the classroom, I explain the logic behind them. When students are consistently late, I explain to them that will not be tolerated in the workplace.
I was struck by the discussion in the text about the students who have spent their lives making excuses. Like the others, I have encountered my fair share of excuse makers. While not wanting to encourage that type of outlook, I think that there is a fine line between compassion and the demands of the course. The suggestion of asking for documentation to excuse an absence would help to cut down on the repeat offenders, and perhaps help them to take more responsibility for their actions.
they need encouragement but they also need to know the importance of the assignment
I generally listen to what the students have to say with a very attentive demeanor. I will repeat back what they say in different words and then ask for confirmation. I then ask what they could have done deifferent.
Sometimes I will relate the excuse to a work environment and ask if their employer would accept this excuse in regards to their time on the job. School is like w your job and what doesn't apply on the job doesn't apply to your class attendance or assignments.
Most of the time the student gets it and sees their responsibility.
In my experience you have less excuses if you make it clear in advance that you will not except excuses unless you have a extenuating circumstance such as a death in the family, or a contagious illness.
I give them an example of what the "real world" will allow in the way of excuses. I explain the process of verbal disciplinary action followed by written and then usually termination. They can easily see how limited they will be able to provide excuses to succeed in this career.
I come from the business world and like to relate these type of situations to that of the “real worldâ€. If I see a pattern forming with a student I ask them, "How many or what type of excuses would be tolerated there?"
Hi Michael,
Excuses are only granted in extenuating circumstances.
Patricia Scales
What do you do if you do this and try to help them out as much as possible but it just doesn't seem to help at all? Is there such thing as a "lost cause?"
Hi James,
All you can do is cheer them on, they really have to truly want to do it.
Patricia Scales
I have had these sit down talks as well with my students at Mid Term. It works... But it wears off. I think that they need constant motivation, but a constant shove in the direction they need to be going in as well. Don't want to think that a person’s life can be that driving to change a person’s wants or learning. But it is and can to these types of students. I am open to any other type of inputs to helping me with these "Non-Motivated/Don't Know Why I am Even Forcing Myself To DO This" Type of students...?
