How can I help students who have a laid back attitude to their school work?

Question

In a small island republic where they started off very rich due to a certain mineral and now are poor due to the resource no longer a major government revenue. The students studying University level courses have a very laid back attitude toward their work. They also tend to procrastinate a lot. There is a lot of hope for the future but the people and the students do not realise the potential.

Answer 1

Sounds like a cultural issue to me. Kind of like how in Mexico they take a siesta in the afternoon. Yet, actually the hispanic population are hard workers, a misconception, really. I work better with a nap too! So without being familiar with the cultural aspect of your students, I am wondering motivates? Good grades? Tell them if work is a day late it won't recieve better than a C no matter how good the work is. Perhaps a reminder about how much material this course must cover this semester, how they will not be prepared for next course if material isn't covered, not getting value for tuition dollars by not working at the class or something. This may seem strange, but what motivates the parents? Speaking to the elders may give you insight on how to reach the kids. Or not. ;-) Really, I truly wish the best for you on this, but remember that if they don't want to learn, you can't make them learn.

Answer 2

Is it possible to have a short writing response, daily, at the beginning of class? Then, you could pick 3-5 students to read their responses and help kick off the day's lessons. Not every school or system allows for this, but I've found it a helpful incentive to get students to do their reading and coursework. A weekly journal of responses to the readings, work, and class discussions might help, too. That way, they'll be a little more prepared for exams (if you require them).

It's hard saying, without knowing more about the system in which you have to work, the subject matter, or your teaching style now.

Answer 3

I'm sure there's no "magic bullet" that will "fix" them, but some of the responses so far seem promising (to me). You have to find what motivates them. Apparently the typical assignments and grades don't motivate them. Maybe they would benefit from a more group-centered approach (this style of teaching is gaining strength in the US), where they work together to solve problems. And not just simple problems that have one correct answer (like a physics problem where you find out what angle to shoot a projectile) but rather problems that don't have just one correct answer. These open ended problems are more difficult to write, but they are so much more interesting for the students, and they actually learn so much more.

You shouldn't need to sacrifice a rigorous curriculum, but you will have to change your approach so that the students see a purpose to what they are studying.

Answer 4

freindly compation between them

divde them in groups, or make it individuals,

make up problems,
and who ever answers first, gets a star, a sticker, or whatever.
whoever gets the most gets to do some thing, like have the best seats,
I was in a class, and the seats were numbers 1-40 or whatever it was
when they had these challenges,
if you were the fastest, ( correct) answer, you moved up a seat,

so when the goal of the class was to move up by answering quickly and correctly.
the highest seats got candy every so often, or something else.....
so everyone wanted to be there....
slowly this builds the idea that
faster is preferred.

too, demonstrate things were timing is important,
cooking?
the game "perfection"

prehaps give assignements with build in time allowance

Its worth 110% if turned in today( early),
100% tommorow( on time),
80% day after ( late)
and so on....

So that you get the idea, that on time is better,

Answer 5

Laziness is attributed to either lack of information or too much knowledge.

Answer 6

If they want to bludge their lose, just teach the best you can. There will also be bludgers

Answer 7

you can't help them, you can force a horse to the river but can't force it to drink water

Answer 8

Show them the effects of poverty. (No education = no $$$)

Answer 9

show em how to grow bananas

Answer 10

BEAT THEM!!!!!!!!