In an effort to reduce student complaints and challenges I recommend that the instructor practice consistency in the areas of fairness, honesty, knowledge of the course and a commitment to provide the best education and learning experience possible.
I try to be as accessable as possible as well. I give my students my cell number. They do use it but they dont abuse it. I want my students to realize that I am stern about my rules and I stick by them, but I also have a soft side that I want them to feel comfortable to talk to me. I dont want them to feel so scared to approach me that problems continue to arise.
Hi Robert,
A presence should be made on Day 1 by the instructor. Students should immediately understand that you are a professional, and you are all about business, and more importantly you have their best interest at heart.
Patricia
Clear communication and check of understanding of message sent.
If students understand the expectations and feel confident of what they need to do, generally the level of potential complaints is quite reduced. also maintaining a class dynamic conducive to the learning progress should help decrease the chances of complaints.
Being clear from the beginning is good way to reduce potential issues. And I focus on reducing as "risk zero" does not really exist. Being accurate with the information is important but also the instructor has to ensure that students understand the message and information provided to them.
I always strive to make expectations as clear as possible. The more clear the expectations, the more likely that students will find things to complain about. Even when they do still complain, I feel less vulnerable by creating clear expectations.
I think the number one way to reduce student complaints and challenges is to make sure they have open communication with the instructor. Most of the time, the complaint is dealing with the instructor and the student needs to know that they can approach the instructor looking for resolve. If the instructor shuts down and does not deal with these issues it will only intensify the complaint and challenge.
Hi Dennis,
I am a firm believer that you get from students what you expect. If you raise the bar, students will rise to it. We need to set high, yet attainable goals for our students.
Patricia
I've found that outlining what will happen in the class from the beginning keeps the students on track.
I pass out an out line, and put what will happen on the board, at the start of each new day.
The students know what they need to do, and they rise to the occusion.
On the first day of class I explain the syllabus and expections of the course. I also address classroom management items such as late work and special tutoring sessions that are available if students need additional help.
After a couple of weeks, I generally revisit some of the classroom management items just to give the students a heads up. This tends to reduce complaints.
At other times, I have found that just listening to the student is very powerful. It provides the student with validation and a sense of security that solutions are possible.
Hi Kevin,
Whenever you communicate effectively and thoroughly with students, complaints are minimal. As educators we must be good communicators.
Patricia
It is important to clearly outline in the syllabus what is expected of the students. Communicating the schedule, deadlines, and performance standards is critical to reducing student complaints.
Hi Barbara,
I fully understand how this method can really minimize challenges. Most students like seeing what they have done/missed to determine their score. You are very thorough with your grading. I bet your students really appreciate this.
Patricia
Hi Ed,
You are right! Students need to understand protocol. When complaints arise, this is the perfect opportunity to explain protocol. I share with my students in job search class that anytime they have a concern with someone, speak with that person first, and if things are not resolved then go to their supervisor, and follow the chain of command accordingly.
Patricia
One of the most important thing that you can do to reduce complaints is to be consistent, and have enough of a rapport with your students that they may come to you first about something that later may become a complaint
For most assignments, I develop a "scoresheet," an Excel spreadsheet that lays out each subpart of the assignment and indicates its point value.
As I review each student's work, in addition to writing comments on the papers themselves, I fill in the points on the scoresheet and let the computer total them up. Then I print the scoresheet and staple it to the paper (the student's name is one item on scoresheet) so it can be returned to the student.
While this method does not completely eliminate challenges, it does greadly reduce them.
Requesting feedback from learners, and requesting
suggestions from learners.
Be consistent and be visibly consistent. The majority of my complaints come from the sense that someone is getting better treatment than everyone else. It happens because a student tells everyone what they're going to ask me for privately, and the students don't know what happened in the private meeting. They assume that the questioner got what they wanted, which is rarely true. I've found that by addressing the issue "anonymously" in the next class meeting (e.g., "I've been asked to give extra credit to individual students, and you know that isn't one of the things I do") helps tremendously.
Setting an atmosphere where students feel comfortable asking questions, asking for clarification on assignments, and even asking for
modifications on a given assignment works for me. When the students feel comfortable expressing themselves they seem to take more ownership in the class. I also agree that a well planned, clearly written syllabus/addendum is very important.
Students need to understand that they are allowed to ask for clarification on anything in which they do not understand
