Listen to them, take notes as the speak to you, and ask them to offer solutions to the problem.
If I was confronted by an angry student. I would listen to them and make sure they know that I will listen. I would try to diffuse their anger a little bit by telling them that whatever is the problem, we will find a solution and that I am willing to listen. I find that if you talk to people who are angry calmly and rationally their anger dispurses rather quickly especially when you are willing to find a solution to their problem and why they are angry. Showing understanding can be important to students and faculty.
I believe that angry persons in any circumstance just want to be heard. Listen.
I attempt through discussion to develop a sense if the anger or frustration is about the class itself or an outside sitution that has flowed into the classroom. The class is a hands-on lab for apparel design and if the student is frustrated they are frozen and cannot move ahead.
Sometimes the anger is rooted in their concern if this is the right field to be training for.
Hi Nancy,
Anger can certainly decrease performance. Angry students should be spoken to quickly and swiftly so that things get resolved.
Patricia Scales
I have to agree with the text. When confronted with an angry student the first thing I would do is meet with the student and listen to what he or she had to say. I would ask the individual to tell me what is occurring in his or her life that is creating the anger or ask if it is my teaching style. I would give them the time to vent and then ask for solutionsw on how to remedy the situation.
My goal is to always attempt to tdiffuse the situation rather than escalate. However, if a student disrupts the learning process for the remaining class members, I will ask the student to leave. It is selfish for a student to monopolize the instructor's time to discuss a situation that does not affect the entire class.
1. Identify the source of the anger.
2. Ask what you can do to mitigate the anger
3. Ask the student what they can do to mitigate the anger?
4. Work on constructive plan to work with the 3 items above.
I recently experienced an angry student that was obviously testing me. He was trying to get under my skin with his comments and his actions.
I pulled him aside after class and explained how his behavior was unacceptable, but then I immediately focused on the positive. I told him that I thought he had potential to be successful. I also told him that I wanted to see him succeed and made sure he understood I would help him in any way I could. I also told the student that I was making it my personal goal for the semester to help him change his attitude and be successful.
Every class I communicated with him and gave him positive feedback in front of other students. I believe this approached not only helped me with the angry student, but demostrated to the rest of the class that I wanted to see them succeed. By the end of the semester his attitude had completely changed and we had a very positive student/instructor relationship.
I don't have him in class this semester, but when I see him in the hallways I always ask how he is doing and express a genuine interest in his development as a student.
Definitely, I believe that the key action is: listen. That tells them that you care and are actually willing to work on finding a solution to the given situation.
Unfortunately, this happens more often than not in my case. Also, I'd like to point out that the majority of my angry students are women. The course suggested that they would be predominately male, but I would have to disagree with that statement. When confronted, I first listen to what the student is trying to say. After I'm sure they've gotten everything out, I then repeat what their concerns are so clarity is achieved. By this point the anger is already subsiding and more effective communication is happening.
An angry student has to be dealt with in private, away from other students. This student has to be taken out of the classroom, to a private room and allowed to vent her anger while you calmly listen. This usually does wonders to diffuse the situation.
Several of my students are high risk, so taking the time to listen to why they are angry helps the most. I try to connect with them and show them that I understand and will help them any way I can.
the first thing tha I do when a student is angry is to first listen to the student, or ask him or her to see me after class to discuss the issue. Part of being a good instructor is having good emotional intelleigence. Being able to control ones own emotion in regards to decision making allows better an more sound decision. For example if a student comes to class with an attitude or is angry about something and react to the teacher in a negative manner, the teacher should not react in a negative manner or simple punish the child for the behavior at a given time. Finding out what is wrong should be the first step prior to making a decision on the behavior, if unwanrted bahaviors are presented.
Venting is the key allowing the student time to be heard is often times what I have found works. Hearing the whole story is crucial when dealing with them and allowing them the chance to be heard greatly reduces classroom interuption.
This is a really great suggestion. Listening is important, and pulling them aside out of class. But sometimes they just start venting infront of everyone. At least with your suggestion they are know they are at least heard.
Usually I am facilitating a one four hour block of instruction. Seeing students’ once a week offers a chance to start a class with a generic how was everyone’s week.
Some times the angry student surfaces immediately and sometimes the “silent angry†student uses this as an opportunity to vent. I want my students to know the five to fifteen minutes of free “how is it going†is venting time and not academic time. When your students’ know you are sincere with the question, they will be sincere with their venting and this anger diffusion then has two purposes.
They trust you as someone who they can vent to within acceptable boundaries with no repercussions, and they need someone to listen. Both of these serve a positive for them, the class possibly and you the instructor.
There is a time it would be mandatory to take the angry student discussion in private. I have found that when a student trusts the professor they will seek the venting opportunity outside of the class. However, sometimes the anger issue is universal and the sharing of the venting process can be a beneficial group activity. The group “think†may create new alliances, networking and group cohesiveness. If channeled properly, this is not a negative occurrence.
Al
Hello Patricia
Listening is usually the first and most positive step I believe we as instructors can take. Sometimes I have used after the venting - asking the individual how we can I resolve the situation that has created his or her anger?
The irony is more often I was told no solution needed, they just wanted to vent :))
Al
I would remain calm and speak with a soft voice. I would listen to the student and try to empathize with them if appropriate. I would try to let them know I care about their concern and will try to help them resolve their problem.
I really do not take it personally. I really listen to what they are upset about. Sometimes just feeling heard they calm down a bit.
