Job Discussion Forums

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

I've been at the same school for four years now and have done quite well here. But from time to time I have some minor problems.

One popped up recently. I have all English majors and their English is generally pretty good. I veered away from the teaching plan for a couple of weeks to give the students a break from the regular routine. The classes that were subbed in were generally received well by most students, as I expected.

However I received a text message from one student last night telling me they thought the class was "a complete waste of time and that noone liked it" (along with a few other rude words tossed in). I replied by asking what their name was (I insist on getting the name of any student who communicates with me either by email, face to face or by phone, and they know this). They refused to tell me their name and jokingly said "My name's not important." The communication stopped there.

I asked all the monitors to check their class list for that phone number, but no suspects turned up. I'm determined to find out who it is, but not sure how to proceed in doing so.

One plan I have is to go into each class (I have seven different classes) and let everyone know what transpired (along with the phone number) and that if the individual doesn't have the decency to come forward, that I'll implement some form of collective punishment. I generally get good reviews from the students and I think most of them genuinely value the time we have together, so I think this might work.

Another plan is to simply begin each class by dialing that number and finding out whose phone rings. And then deal with it.

Any suggestions?

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

I once had the same problem. It was not a single comment from the same number.

Go talk to the Dean and show the messages and number. TRUST ME .... not only will it stop, but your life will improve greatly. The "respect" will flood your class, for a short time anyway.

These types of things should never be tolerated and they NEVER do such things to a Chinese teacher.

Do it. Trust me.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Thanks. Will add your solution to my list, and just wait to see what anyone else says here. Then tomorrow will decide and then deal with it Very Happy

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

If don't want to be so aggressive, simply present the situation to the class - hold your phone up, read the message, write the number on the board and explain to them how disgusted you are that you are being treated with no respect, that they would never do such a thing with a Chinese teacher, then leave the room -- just to the toilet or something.

I couldn't care less about the whole "saving face" concept - it's lame, but the Chinese folks love it and live by it, so maybe it'll have an influence here.

Maybe that will clear the situation up.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"...I communicate weekly with the classes via their class email address, and this is how they can express their thoughts on the class, or ask me questions outside of the class." -- Cleric

Students provide feedback in various ways about our teaching all of the time. Sometimes it is helpful, or at least affords us an opportunity to explain why we teach the way we do. I try to encourage this. More often than not, however, the feedback is simply provided to their local teachers and administrators, who may or may not use it constructively. This can be really annoying, especially when it is misinformed or even slanderous, but what can one do? Your attempts to discover the source of a comment which was obviously meant to be anonymous strike me as being more likely to make you look petty than gain you respect. Be glad, at least, that the comment was sent to you. I would probably not give it any more of a response than to explain in class, in an off-hand manner, why I did what I did and move on. But that's just me.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Can't please 'em all, all the time.

You are making way too much of this. Let it go.

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I agree you are making too much of it. Why collective punishment? Because they are used to it? Do they deserve it? So the kid who didn't like your class is a coward. And s/he got away with it, whatever it is. I guarantee that if you punish the rest of the students for a bad review of one kid, that kid will be the winner of your fight. You will lose the respect of the students that you have spent years building up. Take a breath, we all get told our classes suck (at least I have).

Why not bring the message into class and ask if there is any truth to it? Try to get some honest constructive feedback. It will shame the coward and give the students a chance to contribute.

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

If it only happened once I would ignore it.

This may just be a cultural difference.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Honestly, I think you two are confusing respect with fear. You mention majors so I am assuming these are university students. They get treated as children enough. Treat them as adults. There are more choices than merely those of dancing monkey and drill sergeant.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

This seems to be simply a matter of pride on the part of the OP. We are talking about a text message, not open defiance in a classroom. Huge difference. I have had disrespectful students removed by school security from my classroom. Kids who disrespect the entire class by mouthing off to me are handled in a way that is appropriate to the situation.

You are giving this kid way too much power, making a huge issue over a text message. If he thinks your lesson was &*%$, obviously, for him, it was. It was a private communication. You are now making it public and showing yourself to be somewhat petulant.

Get over it. You are going to be the one to lose in this situation.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

I wouldn't like such behaviour either but it's not possible to happen to me as I don't share my phone number with all my students.

But the behaviour the OP has encounteredis unacceptable; the very least for that student is to provide his or her name. Unfortunately, you are not likely to get that student to volunteer it.

And that is why it is inadvisable to expose him by the elimination approach! Don't even try to do that! At the end, your students might choose to close ranks to protect him. That would create unnecessary antagonism.

If you really want to find out his or her identity, you will have to chance upon his number; maybe he borrowed another student's phone! That means he in fact wanted to remain anonymous.

Students with a genuine and justifiable complaint normally route their concerns through the class speaker or monitor.