Students Doing Just Enough
One of the greatest frustrations for me as a teacher is to have an exceptionally insightful student who has demonstrated an ability to really shine in my class and then coming to the realization that they are only doing just enough to pass the class. What are some ways to address this learner and let them know that you realize their potential and to let them know that you konw they are not meeting it fully?
I have discovered we have students who are motivated and those who are not as motivated. I always relate back to the entire class as I see the motivation level lowering that they are here for their own goal success We discuss how their dedication and enthusiasm in the core class shows how the prospective employer will see them employed at a paticular profession. What enforces this is when students come to class stating they had talked to their Background Investigator and got a great reference from their instructor.
I like this comment about a employer. Great idea!
I have a student that is happy with a passing grade. She is perfectly fine making a "c". I try to talk with her because i know she can do better. But her comments are always the same. I think some students just have that drive for success and others are competitive and want to fight for that "A"
I agree when you have a really bright student and they get it the only want to get whats at hand not really learn it and KNOW it. Just enough to get by. I always tell my students I want you to get it understand it take it with you not just for test reasons..
Hi Billie,
You fully understand what it is like to be in school, raising a family, working, etc. I am sure you empathize with your students, but you can speak from first hand experience that through determination anything is possible. Some people are totally satisfied with just getting by. I always strived to do my best as a student. I have a low tolerance level for those who really have the potential, but they just settle...
Patricia
I have always found this to be the most frustrating type of student to have.
It is different with children and adults. With adults, I usually talk to them about the situation. Now that I teach online only, it is a little more difficult. In the onsight classroom, I know my students on a more personal level and usually have a better feel about whether it is a matter of lack of effort or a matter of survival that has caused them to just get by.
I had a very bright young man once that I just plain asked him why he didn't put forth a little more effort to raise that B to an A because I knew he was capable. He told me he was very happy with a B. He was clearly not cracking the book to prepare for class, but he came to class, listened, and could still get that B. He had flunked out of another school and was here to bid his time until he could get back into the other college. I think he didn't want to get A's because his parents would then be on him to keep those grades when he went back to living on a campus. The "whole" college experience was more important than the knowledge.
Some students are just not motivated to do their best; and others, as adults, just have so much going on with school, family, and work that they have to make choices on a daily basis about what is the most important thing at the moment that they need to do. Most of my students are not the young student without children or employment whose parents are paying all of the bills.
This does not mean that I do not have those conversations or try to pull from every student as much as I can get. But I do listen to what the student tells me, which helps my frustration level when I interact with him/her in class.
I did my masters work when I had four children at home, a husband in school, and was teaching all day and teaching night school twice a week. There is a difference between laziness and survival. Having lived through survival mode for 15 months has helped me be a better instructor.
There are a few methods I use. It's why I continually have them do projects outside or thinking outside of the box to get then in the habit of going the extra step.
However, I also remind them if I had to choose an employee to work for me of one who only does what they are suppose to do and nothing more, such as taking on another assignment or being more of a team player, etc., chances are I'll keep the one that goes above and beyond and reward then with a raise.
Hi Markesha,
Have that conversation with the student.
Patricia
