Hi Marina,
I concur! Negativity period is contagious. Listiening is key when it comes to an angry student.
Patricia
Anxiety and anger are contagious.On the other hand if you look calm and interested in what they have to say they will calm down too.But the moment they cross the line the conversation is over.
I think that there have been a few times I have reacted to the anger. That obviously didn't work. I like all these posts about listening and having students write things down.
I like the calm demeanor. I'll try that.
I have asked a couple of students to leave the room and they won't. They stand there and yell and scream at me and then I stand there dumbfounded not knowing what to do. Then I am at a loss of what to do next. I have had to leave my own classroom because the student would not. What would you do?
I like the idea of students putting this in writing.
I have never done that. Angry students are very reactive to me. I am too clear and direct with them. I need to learn another way. I will try this.
The first thing anyone should do when confronted with an angry "human", regardless of their status, is to listen to them. We must listen to them to determine how to react. Reactions to stress, fear and even illness can be misinterpreted as anger. Listen. Assess. React.
Take time to listen to their concerns. Show the student that their opinion is important. I do make it a point to always express my desire to achieve justice in every situation at some point. After letting them discuss their opinion, I usually remind them that I have many "customers." My customers include clinical sites, clinical instructors, patients, other students, previous students, regulations, ethical considerations, faculty, and the person complaining. At that time I let them know, taking into account all of those customers, I will address their needs.
Be calm, attentive set an example of behavior and demonstrate to the student how to handle difficult situations
Hi Wray,
Listening is key! Simply just by listening, the issue resolves itself.
Patricia
I thing that works for me is to first calm the situation by moving somewhere the student can focus. The next thing is to let the student get it all out.Just listen then give advice i how i can help.students are people to we all have bad days but it always helps when you have someone in your corner. So really be a good listener.
The first thing to do is listen.
Should it become necessary it would be a good idea to take notes.
It also would be good to ask for specific reasons that caused the anger.
Angry students take a great deal of understanding and patience. One would be wise to look closely at what is driving the anger and not the anger in itself. Many of my students are vets that deal with anger in their own personal hell, and this at times can carry over into the classroom. Being a DAV myself, I can relate to the bumpy highway they are walking down. Oftentimes I have gathered up these boys and have a talk just among ourselves, letting them know that they are not alone and that I’m available day or night.
There are few times in teaching that are more nerve-racking than dealing with an angry student. Most times students are in a state of transient anger because of a certain grade but I have met students who were angry from start to finish. Being an online teacher it is difficult sometimes for me to differentiate silence from anger, but one student sent me dozens of raging instant messages that were insulting. It did not take me long to realize that his anger had little to do with me. Since he would not call me or respond to my e-mail messages, I ended up referring his case to his advisor, and eventually stopped hearing from him altogether. I consider this case a failure.
Not sure what the root of this pathway is.
I agree with this response and believe it works most of the time - - when dealing with students who are on or, more often, off drugs the situation often escalates quickly and there is no option for a 'cool off.' What is the best way to handle these short-fuse situations?
exactly however where is the fine line between behavior and responsibility?
always listen I learned this in Law Enforcement, if you show you're listening you may not have to be more assertive. Listening seemed to aid in compliance.
Your're right also some may have issues covered by ADA and have a "natural" behavioral problem.
