I found listening is the most effective tool with an angry student. Then showing a little compassion goes along way. Times are stressful and usually if they can vent their frustrations, they'll will move on.
Hi Helen,
This students needs to be spoken to immediately. This type of behavior has to stop. Deal with this student quickly and swiftly. Get personnel involved if there is a need.
Patricia
Hi Juanito,
It is extremely important for the instructor to remain calm and pleasant with angry students. Angry students should be given the opportunity to talk in a private setting if at all possible. Sometimes the student simply needs to vent.
Patricia
The instructor must maintain his own calm in approaching the student and ask him or her in a regular manner what the problem or the concern is. If the student maintain his or her tensed and angry posture , then , the instructor must bring the student outside the classroom to talk about the situation. This is usually enough to resolve the problem. But if the student becomes very difficult,then he or she must be accompanied to the Dean's office for disciplinary action.
I have an angry student who is sometimes confrontational during class. In a hostile manner this student will disagree with something I have just said. I deal with it by , first of all, staying as calm and cool as possible, then responding by citing the sources for the information the student has contested, letting this student(and the class of 36)know that this is not my personal opinion, but, for example, from a nursing journal or other reliable source. If the student continues to argue, I inform the student that we cannot take up class time for further discussion, but I would be happy to discuss the matter after class.
Calmly talking to a student always helps them put things into perspective.
Many times with angry students you should just sit and listen (when class is not in session for the day). I have a class where one student does not get along with the others. I keep them separated in class. Usually she stays late and we just talk about whatever she would like to discuss. Come to find out she was not really "angry" but feels like she is the only one in her postition in life. I let her know she is important and needed and that usually calms her down.
