There’s a common belief that some students are difficult to teach or manage in the classroom. However, this belief is misguided and harmful to both the students and educators. The idea that there is such a thing as a difficult student implies that the student is the problem, rather than recognizing that there may be underlying issues or circumstances that contribute to their behaviour.
It’s important to understand that all students are unique individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and needs. Labelling any student as difficult does nothing to address the issues the student faces and may actually hinder their learning.
Each student may have their own set of challenges or struggles that affect their behaviour in the classroom. For example, a student may be dealing with trauma or mental health issues. Their behaviour may be a manifestation of these underlying issues.
It’s not fair to label them as difficult and expect them to change their behaviour without addressing the root cause. While learning institutions cannot realistically solve all student issues, there’s a benefit to identifying the situation causing students to have difficulty learning. Having an understanding of a student’s circumstances allows teachers to adapt to their needs and making learning more accessible to them.
Another factor to consider is the learning style of the student. The way a student behaves in the classroom is often a reflection of the environment and teaching methods being used. If a student is disengaged or disruptive, it may be because they are not being challenged or engaged in the material in a way that’s meaningful to them.
Instead of labelling the student as difficult, educators should take a step back and evaluate their own teaching methods to see if there’s a way to better reach and connect with that student.
This method has a compounding benefit for students. The earlier a student can be engaged in their learning, the better they’ll be able to perform in the long-term. Students who have difficulty learning from traditional methods early on will not have the foundational knowledge they need to build their skill later. By helping students to be more engaged in their learning from the start, teachers can set them up for success in the future.
Negative labelling can have a severe negative impact on their ability to learn and interact with others. The way that society views students who are labelled as difficult can have long-lasting negative impacts on their self-esteem and future opportunities.
When students are labelled as difficult, they’re often seen as a problem to be fixed rather than as individuals with potential. This label draws attention to a perceived weakness, rather than acknowledging the student’s strengths. This focus on the negative can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where the student begins to believe that they are indeed a problem and give up on their own education. They will believe it’s impossible for them to learn well and succeed in education.
Moreover, labelling students as difficult can also negatively impact their relationships with their peers and educators. When a student is labelled as difficult, it can create a negative perception of them in the classroom, leading to further disengagement and disruption. It can also lead to a lack of trust and communication between the student, the teacher, and the parent, making it even more difficult to address the root cause of the student’s behaviour.
Students may also be isolated from their peers because of the perception that they will be a bad influence on others. Other students may not want to associate with the students who are considered to be difficult, leading to social stigma that will impact them for years.
There is nothing like a difficult student. All students are unique individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and needs. The way a student behaves in the classroom can be the product of a wide variety of factors, including their home environment and learning needs.
When students are labeled as difficult, their issues are not addressed and they are set on a track that can lead to even more difficulty with learning later on. These long-lasting negative impacts can be avoided by giving students the attention they need to thrive despite their difficulties.
Educators should take a step back and evaluate their teaching methods to see if there is a way to better reach and connect with students individually. Instead of labelling students as difficult, educators should work to understand and address the underlying issues that may be affecting their behaviour. Teachers can then make simple adjustments to give these students a better chance at learning.
Rather than labelling difficult students, it’s better to provide them with the assistance they need to thrive. Taking steps to assist students who have difficulty learning can have a life-changing, positive impact on their education, whereas negative labels can affect a student’s ability to succeed in education.
