Get Your Students Hired
Let the student voice their complaint. Also I would have the student write out (a few paragraphs)on what is bothering them. Sometimes writing out what makes you angry and being able to read it on paper can help with deciding whether or not your complaint is relevant. I then ask the student if they would like to discuss it in private or if they would want a dean present. If the anger is threatening, vulgar, and completely disrupting the class I have the student leave and continue with the lesson.
I listen to the student very carefully and try to resolve the issue if possible. Surely I don't say the word 'calm down'. If the student has an issue that is beyond my authority I would definitely send him to the director.
I would meet privately with the student, listen to his or her complain, and provide them with solutions to help resolve the problem.
First - I listen. Most of the time, students are frustrated because they either feel out of control or misunderstood. I do my best to ensure them that I am on their side and that my objective is to teach them the skills they need to be successfully in my class. If they have valid complaints, I work to address them in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Robert Stephens
Try to play down the situation. Usually a student is angry about a test answer or a wrong assessment about something that they were deficient on. Try to rule with them instead of against them, If you told me right now that I was wrong with this reply, I would probably get a little testie myself!
I listen to the students complaints and then talk to him and try and resolve the problem.
Hi Lisa,
You are on point! Listen to the student fully! Listening is key!
Patricia Scales
I really do not take it personally. I really listen to what they are upset about. Sometimes just feeling heard they calm down a bit.
I would remain calm and speak with a soft voice. I would listen to the student and try to empathize with them if appropriate. I would try to let them know I care about their concern and will try to help them resolve their problem.
Hello Patricia
Listening is usually the first and most positive step I believe we as instructors can take. Sometimes I have used after the venting - asking the individual how we can I resolve the situation that has created his or her anger?
The irony is more often I was told no solution needed, they just wanted to vent :))
Al
Usually I am facilitating a one four hour block of instruction. Seeing students’ once a week offers a chance to start a class with a generic how was everyone’s week.
Some times the angry student surfaces immediately and sometimes the “silent angry†student uses this as an opportunity to vent. I want my students to know the five to fifteen minutes of free “how is it going†is venting time and not academic time. When your students’ know you are sincere with the question, they will be sincere with their venting and this anger diffusion then has two purposes.
They trust you as someone who they can vent to within acceptable boundaries with no repercussions, and they need someone to listen. Both of these serve a positive for them, the class possibly and you the instructor.
There is a time it would be mandatory to take the angry student discussion in private. I have found that when a student trusts the professor they will seek the venting opportunity outside of the class. However, sometimes the anger issue is universal and the sharing of the venting process can be a beneficial group activity. The group “think†may create new alliances, networking and group cohesiveness. If channeled properly, this is not a negative occurrence.
Al
This is a really great suggestion. Listening is important, and pulling them aside out of class. But sometimes they just start venting infront of everyone. At least with your suggestion they are know they are at least heard.
Venting is the key allowing the student time to be heard is often times what I have found works. Hearing the whole story is crucial when dealing with them and allowing them the chance to be heard greatly reduces classroom interuption.
the first thing tha I do when a student is angry is to first listen to the student, or ask him or her to see me after class to discuss the issue. Part of being a good instructor is having good emotional intelleigence. Being able to control ones own emotion in regards to decision making allows better an more sound decision. For example if a student comes to class with an attitude or is angry about something and react to the teacher in a negative manner, the teacher should not react in a negative manner or simple punish the child for the behavior at a given time. Finding out what is wrong should be the first step prior to making a decision on the behavior, if unwanrted bahaviors are presented.
Several of my students are high risk, so taking the time to listen to why they are angry helps the most. I try to connect with them and show them that I understand and will help them any way I can.
An angry student has to be dealt with in private, away from other students. This student has to be taken out of the classroom, to a private room and allowed to vent her anger while you calmly listen. This usually does wonders to diffuse the situation.
Unfortunately, this happens more often than not in my case. Also, I'd like to point out that the majority of my angry students are women. The course suggested that they would be predominately male, but I would have to disagree with that statement. When confronted, I first listen to what the student is trying to say. After I'm sure they've gotten everything out, I then repeat what their concerns are so clarity is achieved. By this point the anger is already subsiding and more effective communication is happening.
Definitely, I believe that the key action is: listen. That tells them that you care and are actually willing to work on finding a solution to the given situation.
I recently experienced an angry student that was obviously testing me. He was trying to get under my skin with his comments and his actions.
I pulled him aside after class and explained how his behavior was unacceptable, but then I immediately focused on the positive. I told him that I thought he had potential to be successful. I also told him that I wanted to see him succeed and made sure he understood I would help him in any way I could. I also told the student that I was making it my personal goal for the semester to help him change his attitude and be successful.
Every class I communicated with him and gave him positive feedback in front of other students. I believe this approached not only helped me with the angry student, but demostrated to the rest of the class that I wanted to see them succeed. By the end of the semester his attitude had completely changed and we had a very positive student/instructor relationship.
I don't have him in class this semester, but when I see him in the hallways I always ask how he is doing and express a genuine interest in his development as a student.