I encourage my students to communicate with me openly about their concerns, both academic and personal (if they feel comfortable doing so re: the latter). I listen and try to empathize with what's going on and provide as much feedback as I'm able, particularly regarding academic concerns. I give referrals when appropriate, offer accommodations when appropriate, and try to refer to the situation at another time to make sure the student knows that s/he has been heard.
Hi Jana,
Impressive listing of ways to reduce concerns from students. Listening is certainly a key factor.
Patricia
Hi Pamela,
Control is everything. Instructors can certainly control the classroom in a friendly, yet firm manner. Even adults need structure.
Patricia
ask them to write out their complaints so they have time to think them through.
Listen to students and show you are taking them seriously.
Patricia,
Thank you, I agree with you because teachers get better control by walking around the room It also lets the students "see you" better and the complaints and challenges diminish because the instructor is there to handle the situation or question before it gets out oh hand
Listening to Students, Encouraging or Requiring them to write complaints and challenges down on paper and submit them, creating clear grading and evaluation rubrics, and building rapport with the students are all ways to reduce student complaints and challenges.
Hi Pamela,
I love your outlook on positivity and being their for your students. It amazes me how many teachers who want to SIT and teach. An instructor needs to be on their feet teaching so that energy is projected, you can go to your students, and you can also have better control.
Patricia
I agree with you, that some discussions cant be opened and explored in depth. But when it relates to a topic within class like an ethical policy that may arise within your field. It could be a great way for students to voice an opinion , get there point across and help them understand the whys of rules and regulations within their field.
Hi Julius,
I am always very careful of opening this type of situation to open forum. Things can really get out of hand if you do not have full control over a situation as such. I recommend to have a one-on-one conversation.
Patricia
First thing you would have to listen to there complaints and views and possible open them up to discussion among there classmates and have an open forum. Sometime you can't let that dictate class time as we have a curriculum to follow. But allowing the conversation to develop could lead to a great project or even an extra credit assignment. But the main thing is to listen and for us to re-access our techniques.
I am a strong believer in positive reinforcement. Even if I am encouraging the smallest detail---I try and do that. Positive reinforcement l feel leads to a positive learning environment. It is easier to deal with a class management problem with honey than it is with vinegar Thus, student complaints and challenges are better resolved positively. Show the student how they can do something better vs negatively showing them how they did it wrong. Going hand in hand with that is getting to know each student individually and working with each individual strength and keep everyone on task
One of my prior instructors always said that "a teacher on her feet was much better than 2 teachers on their seat" Translation-- teacher always needed to be walking around the room and seeing what was going on---keeping the problems small and show the students that you care about them; their issues, their complaints and their challenges
Listen and provide feedback. Often, students want only to be acknowledged in their frustrations.
Another strategy is to have students write down their complaints and challenges. It gives them the opportunity to think out what it is they're really upset about. This sort of reflective exercise can result in a student realizing they are upset over something much smaller than they originally summized. Further, an instructor can have students suggest solutions. If there is no solution, there is no problem.
Hi George,
Students really matter, and we need to make them feel that they are very important. Listening is key!
Patricia
In the beginning, when you review the syllabus, make sure to clearly state the course objectives and grading criteria. As problems arise, listening to the student will give you an idea of the nature of the complaint - from there, you can decide on the course of action.
Always try to make all students feel as though they are a "part" of the course.
Hi Kathy,
Listening is key! A lot of the time our students simply want to vent and after they vent it makes everything better.
Patricia
Instructors can reduce student complaints and challenges by listening to the students when they come to talk about an issue. Listening helps the student articulate their concern and may reduce some of their anxiety. Also, having the student write down their complaints can reduce some of their complaints because they may not be able to explain their feelings and may not want to formally complain.
Listen to there complaints and discuss a way to reslove there problems if possible.
Hi Lydia,
I let my students know on Day 1 if the course is an extremely challenging course. I also let them know the importance of attendance in order to understand the complex concepts.
Patricia
Students most likely complain if something is not going on according to their "expectations" on how difgficult /or challenging a class is going to be.If from the moment you start a class and define clearly the challanges of the class as well as what is expected from the students .you have more than 1/2 the problem solved.
Hi Khalid,
Listening is key to get a full understanding of what the student is saying. Sometimes students just want to vent.
Patricia
