Hi Chris,
Do not tolerate these type of students. These students need to be spoken to quickly and swiftly to let them know you do not bend the rules, and you do not need their approval to enforce rules. These students need to know that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in the workplace.
Patricia
If the student is not disrupting the class, I try to talk to the student after class or during break. I take notes and together we work up a plan of action to help the student. Sometimes the anger can actually be frustration because they don't understand something.
If the student is disrupting the class, I will ask the rest of the class to take a break and speak to the student to find out what the problem is, I also let them know this is not acceptable behavior, listen to find out what the problems is and again take notes. However, the students behavior is noted and the student has to sign a Satisfactory advisement form regarding the behavior and the plan of action we have worked out so this will not happen again.
Hi Paul,
It is always good to handle the angry student in an area away from everyone else. I like to take the angry student behind closed door, and I let the angry student vent until he or she is done. Normally venting eases the situation.
Patricia
Hi Sunshine,
I agree! Listening is key when it comes to an angry student. A lot of the times, the student simply wants to vent.
Patricia
Listen is number one. The problem comes with students who think they can come in and complain and then get rules bent for them. It comes across as a form of extortion. They expect me to give in to their demands or they will come to class angry more often and sometimes try to start fights and arguments during class. Any thoughts on how to end the cycle?
Angry students are often angry about situations that have happened outside of class. Whatever the source of their anger, instructors should listen to the student. Often, just talking through a situation will reduce some anger. Additionally, you can have the student write down their concerns. This will help focus their anger and often a solution will present itself.
Hi Heather,
You are on point! Never call an angry student out! Calling an angry student out generates even more anger, and now you have more of a BEAR to deal with. Calmness and listening are key to dealing with an angry student.
Patricia
Hi Randy,
Listening is key! Most of the time simply by listening, the student calms down and realize things can be worked out.
Patricia
Hi Keith,
Sometimes it is best to simply remove the student to diffuse the situation. Sometimes students are so angry it is best to deal with them after they have calmed down.
Patricia
When dealing with an angry student, it is important to be calm...but to also not embarrass them. If I have an angry student, I try to never call them out in front of their class mates. I will wait until break or after class and privately ask them to see me. I normally then just sit and listen to wahtever is on their mind. Normally, it has nothing to do with the class. For some students, they just need someone to listen, and that is what I do. Others are looking for help or advice...which I give if I can. The most important thing I try to instill in them is that there is a time and place for their anger- the classroom or the clinical site is not it. Coming to see me to vent whenever needed is fine.
i recently had to ask a student to leave the classroom because she was so angry about an assignment. I gave her time to express herself and when that did not work I asked her to leave. At that time i saw no other choice because the more she talked the angrier she was getting.
Listen to the student. I will listen to the student and their problem and then be understanding of their problem and explain that the harder you work the greater the reward.
Listening is a must, and you can't fake it. I usually take the student out of the classroom away from the watching eyes and listening ears of their fellow students. It's this step that usually let's the student open up more about something I may have done or someone in the class may have done to get them upset. It is also at that point where I can try to correct or ease the situation.
I teach adult students. I have rarely had this situation. If I have ever encountered this , I have asked them to leave the class with me and go speak to someone of higher authority. Because of lawsuits , I would not speak with a student privately should any kind of physical confrontation occur. Once the situation has resolved itself , then I will sit with the student and talk and ask what we can do in the future to resolve any of their concerns. When back in class I make an effort to engage them to show all students there is no animosity between us.
Hi Rita,
Calmness is everything when you are dealing with an angry student. If you get loud, the angry student is only going to get louder. Never let your students anger/bad attitude cause you to lose your cool. Keep your composure at all times as hard as this may be in some instances.
Patricia
Never react in kind even if you are angry, too. You are the role model and cannot allow your feelings to escalate the situation. Maintaining your own self-control is paramount. I usually find that a quiet request to meet with me privately in my office on, say, the next class break is usually met with agreement. I even allow the angry student to leave class and wait for me in the student lounge or library, giving him or her a chance to "cool off" too. By the time we get to my office, the student has usually calmed down somewhat so that we can discuss the matter more calmly.
I pulled them to the side to listen to their complaints and offer my advice.If I noticed that the behavior becomes a pattern I send them to the office.
Hi Sherry,
I have found when you get firm with the know-it-alls, they become more humble and respectful.
Patricia
Helen, students with the know-it-all mentality have to be told in a firm way that there are many ways to view a situation and there is always a time to learn knew things and different views. Even brainiacs have a thing or two to learn; even if its seeing things in a different light.
I like the idea of telling the students that you have not had the privilege of helping them yet to resolve their problems. I think that this is saying to the students that you want to engage them in finding a solution to the problem, rather than just listening. Listening is good but it doesn't offer any resolution.
