Comments on: When a Student’s Comment Feels Like a Personal Attack

By: CountessOfHope

CountessOfHope — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:08:01 +0000

Very timely & well written article. Thank you!

By: Luciana

Luciana — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:53:42 +0000

Another alternative response to a student's comment such as "I don´t like this subject" is "why?".

By: cognitioneducation

cognitioneducation — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:55:46 +0000

I have students fill out a survey after each exam, with a variety of questions asking them to rate their level of engagement, the degree to which their skills increased, whether they thought particular in-class exercises/demos/activities were engaging and helpful, and then I ask for open ended requests to the following: (a) if you could change anything about your studying, what would it be; and (b) if you could change anything about the exam what would it be? I then tabulate all the class answers and transcribe their comments and share back with the class. Not only does this exercise help me evaluate what was and wasn't effective, but it also lets those students who are externalizing realize that are in the minority with their opinions. In the four years that's I've been doing this, I've only ever had one class "go south" on me; in all the rest the students have enjoyed getting their results each time.

By: Debra Vincent, PhD

Debra Vincent, PhD — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:31:12 +0000

I teach online and have discovered that students will make comments in writing that they would not necessarily make in person. Recently, I had a couple of students using curse words in the discussion board posting. When I addressed my concerns (in a personal email) each student saw how unprofessional the comments were. It's truly eye-opening, and I greatly appreciate the article and comments.

Debra

By: Professors: Student Evaluations | My Educational Technology Blog

Professors: Student Evaluations | My Educational Technology Blog — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:03:01 +0000

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By: Janice J Hill

Janice J Hill — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:59:27 +0000

I ask my students to tell me what has gone well and what has not gone so well. Honest feedback is the key. Rate 'Your Professor' is another tool teachers can use mid-way through their course to get feedback from students or even 'Poll Anywere"

By: Janice J Hill

Janice J Hill — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:53:26 +0000

Soliciting honest feedback via informal discussion/survey from students during the course is one way to keep communications open. Using Polleverywhere is a great way to have survey students rate you–this is after the course. Rate My Professor is another method of feedback from students, e-Journals, and other web tools is a way to find out how you are doing. Be open to constructive criticism…

By: Lorena

Lorena — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:50:48 +0000

Thanks for this article. I certainly appreciate the practical advice. Although I wish not to have to put it in action, it would be absurd to deny that this type of situations may happen at any time. We should always remember that our students are human beings with feelings and emotions ready to be displayed in many ways.

Lorena
EFL Teacher in El Salvador, Central America

By: Getting Out`

Getting Out` — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:44:04 +0000

Teaching in a modern American classroom is as full of these challenges as it is of success. Anyone who doesn't admit that it is wearing is either lying, denying, or clueless. In the college where I've worked for the last 12 years, we've had an exodus of good teachers, all replaced with over-credentialed, under-talented "kids" the students really disrespect. This has degraded our institution and barricaded our administration behind their HR policies and evasive management tactics. It's a for-profit business, so this is obviously heralding the beginning of the end.

Still, my grandson describes exactly the same scenario in his public high school. The Republican attack on teachers and public education has taken a toll everywhere. The profession is less attractive today than anytime in my lifetime. School administrators are less skilled, less connected to the purpose of the institutions, and less supportive than their degenerate counterparts in business (and this is possibly the low-mark in American management's history). The strategies described in this article are fine, as far as they go, but they are defensive in nature and one more sign that teachers are hiding behind their desks hoping for rescue.