Teachers put plenty of time and effort into creating detailed lesson plans. So, when a student fails to follow instructions or participate in class, it’s easy to get frustrated and discouraged. Before you jump in to reprimand the student, ask yourself, “why do students refuse to work?”
Students refuse to work due to a lack of understanding, confidence, motivation, or trust in the teacher. Personal issues or learning difficulties may also play a part in a student’s refusal to follow instructions and complete tasks.
While all students are different, there is always a reason behind them not wanting to do work. It could be related to something at school or at home. Understanding the reason behind a student’s non-compliance is the first and foremost step in helping them.
Here are the ten reasons why students refuse to work:
- They don’t understand the work
- They are not confident in their abilities
- They are not motivated to work
- They are bored
- They do not trust the teacher
- They are not sure about the expectations
- They want attention
- They are influenced by their peers
- They are experiencing personal issues
- They have learning difficulties
This article will detail why a student might be reluctant to complete tasks. Be sure to read until the end, where you will have access to the all-important solutions of what to do when students refuse to do work.
1. They Don’t Understand the Work
As teachers, we should have high expectations of our students and set challenging work that allows them to reach their full potential. Nonetheless, students will not be able to even attempt the work if they do not have a basic understanding of what you are asking them to do.
Setting work at the appropriate level of challenge for all students is an immensely testing task. Even experienced teachers do not get that balance right 100% of the time.
But it is crucial to be aware that a student might not comply with your instructions simply because they do not have the knowledge and understanding to do so.
Perhaps they were absent and so missed the prior learning. Or maybe they didn’t hear your input and instructions, so now they are not sure how to carry out the task. These are common and understandable explanations for why students do not do the work asked of them.
Luckily, with some straightforward actions, the matter can be resolved without tension or frustration.
2. They Are Not Confident in Their Abilities
Individuals with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are set and unlikely to excel beyond their current state. They often compare themselves to their peers and come to the conclusion that they are academically inferior. Standardized testing and grades are significant contributors to this.
Furthermore, these students are often anxious and uneasy about challenges or doing things that are not familiar to them. It takes them longer to engage with new topics and concepts.
As a result, students with a fixed mindset often show reluctance to do the work, especially if it is something new or slightly challenging. They lack confidence, thinking that their abilities are not sufficient enough to meet the learning goals.
The fear of failing puts them off from even attempting tasks.
A shift from a fixed to a growth mindset will boost their confidence and engagement, ensuring that they are more willing to do the work, even if they find it tricky.
3. They Are Not Motivated to Work
Students, like us adults, perform better when they are motivated. We cannot expect them to complete the tasks we give them if they lack inspiration and drive.
First and foremost, teachers must ensure that students are happy to come to school. The classroom culture should be one that is safe and inclusive, built around mutual respect. Students who don’t feel respected or valued will be less inclined to work and be involved in class activities.
Likewise, the absence of incentives like praise and rewards will contribute to the lack of drive toward their work.
Another reason why students experience a deficiency in motivation is down to fatigue. Pressure from parents and teachers, together with excessive homework, can leave students feeling exhausted and drained, especially during exam periods. With their energy levels depleted, no wonder they are not keen on doing the work in class.
An environment that motivates students will see a higher level of participation. To find out more about how motivation is linked to student performance, watch this video by Teachings in Education.
4. They Are Bored
As much as we try to make our lessons fun and creative, some students can’t help but get bored. They might have a low attention span and get easily distracted. They would much rather be doing anything else than be stuck in the classroom.
Or sometimes, they are simply not interested in the topic or subject because it is irrelevant to them. For example, the teacher might be trying their best to teach the class about variables, while students ask themselves, “when am I ever going to use this knowledge in the future?” Consequently, they are cynical about carrying out the work.
It’s easy to write off these scenarios as things teachers cannot control. However, we must be honest and assume responsibility when it comes to students feeling bored.
For instance, the traditional teaching method, where the teacher explains concepts from the front while learners take notes, is far from engaging.
Outdated learning styles offer very few opportunities for sharing, presenting, and discussing ideas. They also deny giving students ownership of learning through student choice and agency. Consequently, students are merely passive consumers of knowledge. Hence, we can’t blame them for feeling disengaged.
If we want students to participate and complete work, we must capture and hold their attention. An enthusiastic teacher can make any lesson or activity fascinating. Their energy and spirit will transfer across to the students, who will be up for tackling any task that comes their way.
5. They Do Not Trust the Teacher
A poor teacher-student relationship will ruin the school experience for both parties. Students will often show defiance and disrespect toward the teacher, while the teacher will express annoyance and chastising – a vicious cycle of resentment.
At the heart of the problem is trust. If students do not trust the teacher, they will flat-out refuse to carry out any work.
The lack of trust may stem from the teacher’s ineffective behavior management strategies. A teacher that cannot establish stability and order in the classroom will struggle to get students to follow instructions.
Another reason that can compromise trust is if students perceive the teacher to be mean or unreasonable. Teachers who are discourteous or ridicule students cannot expect much from their learners. Additionally, justice and fairness are values that children hold dear, so if a teacher is deemed to be treating students differently, then trust will erode.
A healthy teacher-student relationship rooted in trust is essential; otherwise, students will continue to not comply with your demands.
6. They Are Not Sure About the Expectations
During the lesson, the learning objective(s) should be absolutely clear. Students who do not know what is expected of them will struggle to complete tasks.
Moreover, not knowing the criteria for the learning goal will create a sense of confusion and anxiety among students.
Learning objectives should also be achievable, as asking too much of your students may put them off. Pitching the work at a high level may motivate some learners, but you also risk marginalizing others. Hence, differentiating the task to make it accessible to all will minimize any reluctance to attempt the work.
Finally, teacher feedback also plays an important role in determining students’ confidence toward the expectations. If students are not receiving timely feedback regarding their progress, they will be uncertain and hesitant about the work they produce.
The absence of clear and realistic expectations, coupled with a lack of feedback on how the student is doing, means that learners are deprived of the support system they need to perform effectively.
All of this leads to a loss of confidence and assurance, meaning that the student is less likely to have the will and desire to participate.
7. They Want Attention
A refusal to do work may come from the desire for attention. Students know that they will be quizzed by the teacher for not submitting the work, which might be what they are craving.
Most teachers would dedicate their time to finding out why the student has not completed the work. They will often talk with the student in private, showing patience and empathy in the hope of helping the student rather than reprimanding them.
It is this approach that a student may be yearning for, thus intentionally not carrying out what was expected of them.
Attention-seeking behavior may stem from a number of things, including low self-esteem, boredom, past trauma, etc.
Every child wants and needs attention from their teacher, but if they are deliberately failing to complete tasks to get your attention, try not to entertain the idea. Otherwise, you are reinforcing the unhelpful and hindering behavior.
Check out this video from Polly Bath, who discusses what attention-seeking behavior looks like in the classroom:
8. They Are Influenced by Their Peers
Friends provide us with a sense of belonging and purpose. Therefore, a student’s friends can be hugely influential.
Sometimes, friends motivate and encourage each other to excel. They exhibit good values and morals, which can similarly shape the other students.
On the other hand, a disruptive and defiant student can have just as much influence. If they are successful, they may sway other students to not comply with your instructions.
Peer pressure, in this instance, creates frustration for the teacher as it could result in several students defying your directive. From one student refusing to do the work, it snowballs to a handful.
The key is to be aware of the situation, which puts you in a better position to address the matter promptly.
9. They Are Experiencing Personal Issues
We all experience personal difficulties throughout our lives, and students are no different.
Family problems, bullying, or relationship issues can play on a student’s mind without anyone knowing. For example, witnessing parents arguing can leave students lonely and devastated. It can also severely interrupt their routine if there is instability and inconsistency at home.
Bullying is another issue that students often keep to themselves. A student who is a victim of verbal or physical bullying might be too scared to report it. Instead, they carry the burden and anxiety around, including to class.
A student experiencing personal issues is more likely to miss submission deadlines, not out of defiance but because of the distress and worry they are enduring.
10. They Have Learning Difficulties
The field of educational psychology and therapy has advanced over the years. Our understanding of the obstacles and challenges faced by some students has significantly improved, as we are now better equipped to support them.
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can make it harder for a student to complete tasks when compared to their peers.
SEND encompasses a wide range of learning, language, emotional, social, and physical difficulties.
A student with a learning difficulty like dyslexia may find it extra challenging to access the information taught, especially if reading or writing is involved. What’s easy for the other students may pose an agonizing obstacle for a child with dyslexia.
Naturally, a student with a learning difficulty may appear as though they are refusing to do the work. The teacher must be mindful that this is not necessarily a reflection of the lesson or their teaching. However, steps should still be taken by the teacher and the school to ensure that the student receives the best possible support.
Final Thoughts
The best way to help students who refuse to work is by determining the root of the problem.
Therefore, as the more mature and experienced party, you should work with the student to resolve the issue. Regular conversations with the student can help you understand the cause of their non-compliance.
Now that you know and understand the reasons why students refuse to work, you can familiarize yourself with what to do when students refuse to work.
Sources
- Beacon School Support: What To Do When A Student Refuses To Work
- Mrs. D’s Corner: Strategies to Use When a Child Refuses to Complete Work
- PsychCentral: Child Acting Out for Attention? Here’s What to Do
- Truth For Teachers: What to do in the middle of your lesson when a student refuses to work
- YouTube: Polly Bath – All the ways we reinforce attention seeking
- YouTube: Teachings in Education – Student Motivation: How to Motivate Students to Learn
