Motivating Students Who Don't Care by Mendler Allen;

Author:Mendler, Allen;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Solution Tree Press
Published: 2000-02-26T16:00:00+00:00

Challenge the Refusals Respectfully

Students who refuse to work frustrate teachers who care because they make us feel like failures. After unsuccessful efforts, it is not unusual for educators to give up and adopt the attitude, “It’s up to José—I need to give my attention to the students who care!” Giving up is usually a way that we protect ourselves from a student’s continued rejection. But the professional approach must always be to find ways of staying personally connected with the student without taking the inappropriate behavior personally. In the case of students who refuse to work, we have a better chance of inspiring motivation when we let go of our need to shape a student’s behavior. It is helpful to identify how the student’s behavior is actually positive so that we can be encouraging rather than nagging. For example, most students who refuse to work but who come to class are actually learning much of the information being presented. Their need for power and control prevents them from showing us that learning is happening on a regular basis, thus the lack of homework, papers, and preparedness. Their test scores may suffer as well, although it is not unusual for such students to do quite well on exams. These students are apt to do more of what we want when we respond to the positives they demonstrate (i.e., attending and learning) rather than to the negatives that cause hassle and irritation. For example,

Kate, I know I hassle you a lot about not doing your work and I’ll probably keep doing that because I respect you too much to expect anything less than your best. Most students who won’t work are either afraid of failing or are needing to feel in charge. I hope that as you get to know me and this class you’ll be brave enough to take a chance. Either way, keep coming and keep learning.

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