Instrutor getting bullied

Published

I wonder if Im the only student that has experienced the following situation. Our instructor will assign readings for us to do. Afterward, usually the next week, we will have an exam over the material covered in the reading.

I bust my butt to study,study and study and get an A on my exams and feel great. However there is a group of students that will get the exam answers wrong and then argue with the instructor about their "perception" of what the question was asking or why the answer they picked could possibly also be right. They carry on like this until the bullied instructor finally caves and gives them credit for a technically wrong answer.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? I am happy with how Im doing in school but sometimes I cant help but think I could get by without studying so much if I too was willing to argue with the instructor why my wrong answer should be right. (of course i wouldnt do that).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HAHA I have those types of people in my class who will argue until the ends of time.

Thankfully, our school has a policy where you have to support your claims with real evidence (e.g. textbook page number) if you want to contend any questions within 24 hours. Our instructors, for the most part, don't tolerate the "ganging up" that happens for an unfair question.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
HAHA I have those types of people in my class who will argue until the ends of time.

Thankfully, our school has a policy where you have to support your claims with real evidence (e.g. textbook page number) if you want to contend any questions within 24 hours. Our instructors, for the most part, don't tolerate the "ganging up" that happens for an unfair question.

That's how it was when I went to nursing school mumble mumble years ago. Had evidence? Then the question would be considered for being completely thrown out or for those who chose the same answer to get a point back. No evidence? Don't even try because you will be shot down quick and hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

We have those also. I always just ask for the rationale. I may say to my instructor, this is why I answered this and I need to know why I was wrong. But usually I do that in a private meeting after class. I just want to know for NCLEX. But we have people who will argue until the end of time.

We we used to have to have evidence to back up our answers and we filled out a form within 24 hours but they took that away.

I like it when the instructor just says I'm not listening to any arguments. I will give you the answers but if you want to know why see me after class.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.

Those students would be in so much hot water at the school I went to. There was a lot of emphasis placed on no uncivil behavior (from students or instructors). That happened once in one of my classes and it was made perfectly clear it would never happen again. Personal appointments had to be made if you had an issue with an exam question. I was successful in earning points back for some classmates and me one time by pointing out what our powerpoints from class had on them (it was actually wrong) so it could be corrected for the future, but I was polite and didn't push it- I showed my instructor and left it at that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Forget those people. Focus on doing what you need to do. Keep working hard and developing a good work ethic. It will serve you well in the future. You cannot control what others do only yourself. buckle down and keep moving forward.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

Sometimes instructors write bad questions and the answer needs to be discussed.

I recall a particularly bad professor that I had for pediatric nursing theory. One day we had a quiz before the class on genetics. There was a question that said:

"Which of the following is true?"

A. Human chromosomes are paired

B. Children inherit half of their genes from their father

And then two wrong answers.

Everyone in the class selected A and B. The teacher said that only A was correct and that she would have to "look up" if people got half their genes from their father. High School Biology 101?

A non-nursing example from high school:

"Which of the following is true about the US government?"

A. Every state has 2 senators

B. The number of representatives each state has in in the House of Representatives is based on the state's population

And 2 wrong answers.

Again, every student in the class said both A and B were correct but the teacher tried to say that A was more correct than B. It was so bad that the question was discussed in my Calculus class, because many of the same kids were in both classes.

Anyway, my point is that sometimes I see the necessity in arguing the given answer to a question. It's been 10 years since my Psychiatric nursing theory class and I can still tell you a question I argued with the professor about and I still think I was right on that question. That said, if the students are arguing an answer that is really wrong and the instructor can explain to them why they are wrong, she should stand her ground.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education.

Well, just remember.

Can't argue answers on the NCLEX.

And in all seriousness, instructors talk to each other. So while this one will let the students take control, there are others that won't, and if this group continues to argue will shut them down.

I've seen it. I've BEEN it. And if the student/s cannot give me a logical answer with supporting evidence from a reliable source, then too bad, discussion is over.

In the meantime, all you can do is to grit your teeth and keep in doing what you're doing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion