Ususally there is something going on personally with the student that is causing such a distraction that any small thing pushes them to the edge. It helps be really patient and try to be helpful. I have even said something like "Please don't get upset, I am trying to help you be successful." Sometimes that is enough to get them to settle down and start to tell me the real issue: they are about be evicted or someone in their family just died.
Ricardo and Amaris,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. Good advice. Thanks for your iput.
Ms. Amaris White:
Thank you for your message. The tactics utilized to deal with a student that is abrasive depends on the forum in question. If the behavior is directed at the instructor in a private email, I usually model the appropriate conduct and limit my response to the issue at hand. If the behavior is offensive to the instructor or participants in a discussion forum, I complement the above approach with a private email directing the student to review the course netiquette or code of conduct. The offensive behavior seldom continues if handled with sensitivity and tact.
Dr. Ricardo Richards
Albert,
This is a great way to make sure students understand the policies and know what is expected of them.
Nice job.
I have taught in two other online university program. In each place the first assignment was the student scknowledgement of reading all announcements on policy.
I request students to read a list of announcements on policy in my current online program. I hold them responsible for following all policies.
Jeanette and Albert,
I see where you are coming from. I have the rights to delete posts at the faculty level and do so on a rare occasion. It's good to talk to the student also. Thanks!
I agree ALbert information should be escalated to the next chain of command responsible for deleting the post.
I would also hold the student accountable by making him/her aware of the policy concerning this type of behavior.
James,
Glad you haven't had that many issues. It is good to always give the next person up the chain a head's up if something is coming their way. Thanks!
It really depends on the specific communication as to what I do. I try most of the time to manage it myself and copy the appropriate person (like the program chair), again depending upon the severity of the problem. If it gets to bad I simply refer them to the program chair, but I can count on one hand how many times this has happened in my ten years with AIU.
Kristin,
That's a great thing to have at your organization. And, you're right - life is too short to be negative.
Thanks for your input.
There is a Student Outreach department at my institution. Often I forward the post, email, chat, etc., to that department so that someone can reach out to the student via phone and talk about appropriate versus inappropriate communication. Sometimes this helps make the student aware of how what was written was taken by others.
In a synchronous class setting, I have the ability to disable a student's chat and microphone. I hate to do that and will only do that as a last resort. I try to remind students that life is too short to be negative. Class and life is hard enough as it is, so there's no need to add to that. Positive outlooks only!
David,
One student can make a difference. Meeting their needs while keeping all students into consideration is the key. Keep communicating and working to make your class better. Nice job.
I am considering a particular student in this answer. I had to call her on several occasions and hear out her concerns. The level of intensity seemed to soften over time, but it was always present. I talked to my supervisor and he had this student also. I was courteous and based all comments on facts. Eventually the course was over. There was not much I could do to help her on interpersonal skill so I had to model good communication from my side and help her with the course content. This may not sound like an ideal answer but it is the best I could do.
Rolando,
Just be prepared and ready to deal with whatever may pop up. You have a good track record. :-)
I have been fortunate that in my F2F and online courses have not had any incidents; been facilitating courses for the past 15 years. Knock on wood—LOL…
But I am conscious that it will happen sooner or later, thus comments in this thread are significant to me something to keep near as I continue facilitating courses. Rolando
Albert,
Contacting students can provide for some solution. It's good to talk to the students who is difficult as well.
Thanks!
Kerri,
Ah - the program chair may be able to help you out then when you need to "hide" a post. Hope that person is very supportive of you.
Take care.
Albert,
Being proactive is essential. I even tell students to be proactive in their communication with me and others. Keep up the good work.
My concern when these issues arise is to avoid expanding the issue. Sometimes I will contact privately a student who has been victimized.
I try to redirect public discussions away from the particular incident and towards the policy and rules that we should follow.
My process is very similar. Posts cannot be deleted by the instructor but we can request that they be hidden by the program chair. For offensive posts, the program chair is notified and they work with the situation.
