When Failure is Imminent
When Failure is Imminent
A certain number of students fail classes every session. This is a hard fact. While we do everything in our power to help students succeed in the early weeks of class, some students will arrive at a point of no return where they no longer can pass a class. Our messages now need to shift. Confronting failure is a serious blow to a student’s ego, make no bones about it.
How can an instructor mitigate the circumstances and nurture a failing student's willingness to take the class again next session? And feel good about doing it?
If you teach a class with a typically high fail rate many repeats and three-peats will share their past experiences with you regarding their failures, while others you discover through TURNITIN when they resubmit her/ her own failing work.
A good number of these students can be successful in your class, but it’s often up to you and how you enable their success. A good way to start a dialogue is to ask the student to show you past work along with instructor's comments. This way you have a starting point to help with areas of non-mastery. The sooner you can get a student engaged in proactively learning, the more successful your collaboration.
Gary,
That one-on-one relationship many times sparks something in students when they know you are concerned about their learning and progress. Thanks for your input.
I find that when i meet with students one on one, his often motivates them. Sometimes simply by talking to them, as someone who genuinely cares about their grades, they have brought themselves out of failure status. It's not just about encouraging them for me, though encouragement is a huge part of it. It is also about simply telling them what they need to do and what the consequences are if they do not..
Walt,
You are right. There are so many things to think about. Remember though that the students should be responsible for turning in assignments and working to achieve the learning outcomes to pass the course. Yes, we are facilitators of the learning process, but they have to do their part too. Thanks.
Just with any course and student, there are so many factors that contribute to success and failure. Its really hard to work around all the issues of a student that lacks the resources, prior experience, or education to succeed in the course. A screening process is good, but you never really know if the student has the resources and self discipline for online courses until they are actually into the course.
I feel bad for the students who are failing, even if its out of my control, but realize not all students who take these courses are "online" (or even college) ready.
These students are often the same ones that want to blame someone else for their failure. I will try my best to work with them, but keep the communications to matters of fact and not get into personal issues. I feel for them, but its not fair to the other students who met all the requirements to pass the course if I accept excuses or blame and allow a students to pass who should not. I try to look on the positive side and hope a failure now can be just the learning experience they needed to prepare them to be successful in the future. Like Mr. Buresh said "they cannot aviod consequences" and some need to understand this before Failure is Imminent.
Donald,
Love that saying and it is so true. We have to plan our courses, learning outcomes, rubrics, assignments, etc. Students also have to learn to plan and use time management skills to succeed online. Thanks for adding to the conversation with your opinion.
I believe like Benjamin Franklin, failure to plan means planning for failure. Most people in the educational system, and I mean from kindergarten on up to college, are never taught about consequences. People do not understand that they can only make choices, but they cannot avoid consequences. I wish that the laws of causality were taught from the beginning of public school education. I believe that if such a topic was taught effectively, there would be a lot less failure in our society. One should always remember that the failure of one individual is a failure for all. We lose as a society because people fail. This is my opinion.
cynthia,
Do NOT take it personally if you have done all you can do and have provided all students with the same opportunities. I know this is easier said than done, but students too must take responsibility for their learning. Just be fair to all students. Thanks!
This is just a recent issue where the one student just refuses to take advantage of the assistance. Even his advisor is pushing him to work with the additional resources. However, for whatever reason, the student does not and ends up with poor results in class. He even escalated to my manager, stating I had it 'out for him' and was trying to find reasons to 'fail him' - even though I have no idea who he is due to it being an online class. It is difficult to remain positive when being 'attacked' like this, but I do!
Thanks!
cynthia,
Being positive can set the tone for the entire course and/or evaluation process. Having additional assistance available is the key thing. Some students will take advantage of this assistance. Thanks!
Yes, as part of our role as instructors, we do need to provide all the assistance we can in a positive tone when we have these issues with students who struggle. I have no idea if they are retaking any class unless they provide this information to me directly. So many times, I cannot provide any type of proactive assistance or approach them in a different perspective. However, I do feel the student has to also want to succeed. I cannot force any student to work with the additional assistance the school provides to learn how to use correct spelling and grammar. I provide examples and include the advisor, but again, I have no control to force the students to gather the assistance needed.
Nicholas ,
Motivation is a key factor in the online environment. No doubt. But, I also put students in groups and assign group leaders and they are responsible for making sure all members participate. So, put some of the responsibility on the students as well. Don't do it all yourself. Thanks!
Providing feedback is a necessary function of what we do. But in our teaching environment, one of the largest reasons for student failure is them just NOT PARTICIPATING. So it has become a function of us, as instructors, to also become motivators towards all students, especially those that choose to not participate online.
Sabrina,
You hit on a key point. We, as instructors, should do everything we can to help the students succeed and make sure they understand the expectations. Providing meaningful feedback is helpful many times and private emails or phone calls can motivate students also. However, some students do make choices and every choice has a consequence. If they fail and we, as instructors, have done everything possible to help them, then, they fail. It's sad, but true.
