How Can Teachers and Parents Address Academic Apathy
Not turning up to class, not handing in work, or handing in work that is incomplete, incorrect, or done with minimal effort — for many middle school and high school students, this is the reality.
Is this just the inevitable delinquency of adolescent development? Can using disciplinary measures such as detentions rectify this? Or, is there something deeper at play here? These are just a few questions teachers may ask themselves when dealing with an apathetic student.
As a teacher, a parent, or somewith with an online Masters in Education Counseling, dealing with academic apathy is a very difficult task. In this article, we will detail why some students become apathetic, and equip you with the necessary knowledge to play a part in resolving it.
What is Academic Apathy?
Also called student apathy, academic apathy refers to the lack of interest or motivation students have towards their school work and learning environment. Today, nearly half of all teachers and 58% of high school teachers, say that their students showing little to no interest in their learning is a major problem in the classroom; 72% of high school teachers say that students being distracted by their cellphones is a major problem.
So how did we get to this point? A combination of the sudden shift to digital learning between 2020-2022 due to the pandemic, entrenched systemic issues such as lack of funding, accessibility issues, economic inequality, and the surge in youth mental health issues, it is no surprise that some of today’s students have grown to feel like they are dragging their feet in the classroom. However acknowledging this issue is not enough — active measures need to be used to address it properly, and both teachers and parents have their roles to take in this.
For the Teachers
Make Learning Relevant
No one likes wasting time, and students are no different. Students always want to know why they should learn what they are learning and why it matters. For example, when you are introducing new material, you can first explain to students why it is important for them not only in the class but also in real life, so they see that the skills they acquire will be useful far beyond school.
Building a Positive Student-Teacher Relationship
A connection based on trust and positivity will go far in alleviating the apathy seen among students. The reality today is that too many young students feel that they are lacking a strong relationship or connection with their educators.
As a teacher, you should take initiative in building positive relationships with your students. If students realize that you can see them, that you care about them, and that you want to guide them, they might feel more motivated to participate actively in schoolwork. When the class is doing an activity or there is some remaining free time, try to talk to your students. Talk to them about schoolwork, but also check in on their personal lives. A positive student-teacher relationship not only makes students feel more engaged and satisfied with their learning but can make you teach better as well.
Moreover, you can always utilize various activities to cultivate a positive climate in your classroom, both between you and your students and amongst the students themselves.
Celebrate Success
Celebrating student achievement can help maintain motivation and commitment to hard work. Everything from big milestones to small achievements should be recognized. Acknowledge the good deeds, accomplishments, and academic progress of your students.
Celebrations can be delivered through verbal praise, class rewards, peer recognition, contacting a parent, a certificate of achievement, or even just hanging up work in the classroom. For apathetic students, you should provide recognition for the efforts made to achieve even small milestones.
Give Students a Voice and Listen to It
When students assist you in making decisions, it will not only empower them but also increase their participation. For example, you can allow students to choose different types of projects to use as assessments. This can greatly accommodate the diverse learning styles your students might have, as well as pave the way for more personalized learning options, which have been proven to boost student engagement.
Another great way to do this is to ask, and most importantly, use student feedback. While you give constant feedback on what students do throughout their studies, they should also have the opportunity to share what does and does not work for them. This is crucial since as much as you try to put yourself in their shoes, you will still never really know what it feels like to be a student in your own classroom.
When student voices are elevated to being a central part of their studies, they will feel valued and have a sense of belonging and purpose in their learning — sadly, this is often lacking in today’s classrooms.
Change Things Up
While things like standardized testing still remain the primary way to assess students’ learning, knowledge, and skills, they can get tired of them very quickly. While there are some things you can’t change, take the time to assess what you can. Aim to use not just one but a variety of different activities in your class, especially those where students can enjoy active engagement rather than just listening to you speak. In particular, incorporating movement can mean better academic progress.
For the Parents
Get Involved
When parents become apathetic, children will most likely follow too. There is a symbiotic relationship between students being motivated to learn, and you as a parent needing to back that motivation up. While providing your child advice on keeping a positive academic attitude is important, getting involved in your child’s learning is even better.
Parental involvement can include helping with homework, getting to know your child’s teachers, discussing school, attending school events, or encouraging extra-curricular activities. Getting involved can also greatly empower and refine your child’s learning abilities too.
Nurturing the Love for Learning
Instilling a love of learning in your child can be a difficult task. Teaching them how to love learning is the best way to ensure that they will grow into lifelong learners themselves. An apathy towards learning means that there is a lack of engagement, and this includes at home.
One of the first steps is to engage with your child, such as through asking them what they learned or did at school each day. By doing this, you are assisting them to review and recognize their newfound knowledge. It not only sustains or can stimulate their own interest and curiosity in learning, but it also indicates to them that you as a parent are always here to support them in their learning journey, allowing greater confidence and motivation.
Keeping in Contact with Teachers
Last but not least, keeping a parent-teacher relationship is incredibly important. Having strong communication between parent and teacher is fundamental in fostering a sense of community for your child at home and school where as a parent you become more involved in the classroom.
Through parent-teacher communication, you can understand what your child needs to improve upon and what you need to adjust at home; at the same time, teachers improve their teaching in the classroom knowing that you are helping with out-of-class activities such as homework and behavior management.
Academic apathy is a challenge for today’s classrooms, and both teachers and parents have a part to play in combating it. It can seem overwhelming and be incredibly difficult, but seeing a child happy, enjoying learning and reaching their potential will make it all worth it.
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