I have used positive as well as negative interventions in such cases:

1. I use stories and PPTs with pictures to make things more interesting for them.

2. I make classes more interactive and try to involve them in the discussion

3. Show them short relevant videos and then analyze the videos by involving them through questions.

4. On the negative side, i do not do liberal marking in examination and project evaluation; so the sanctions work to some extent for them to work harder.

It's not just pampering parents. It's also the existing system that pampers them. Perhaps you know what I mean, because you are a neighbor.

Dear Miranda I have such students writing bachelor's or master's thesis who are surprisingly uninterested with their achievements. (They, of course, choosed topic according to the personal interests). I agree with @Patrick and @Cecilia and their ways of communication with students which I also share. Besides that, I'm making clear statements about students' poor achievements FTF, I'm showing areas they need to catch up with, and consequences if they will not. I also recommend more reading and visits on seminars or consultations at my office. Of course I don't behave rude.

I have used positive as well as negative interventions in such cases:

1. I use stories and PPTs with pictures to make things more interesting for them.

2. I make classes more interactive and try to involve them in the discussion

3. Show them short relevant videos and then analyze the videos by involving them through questions.

4. On the negative side, i do not do liberal marking in examination and project evaluation; so the sanctions work to some extent for them to work harder.

I used positive and negative motivations. I succeeded with some, while I didnt succeed with others who didn`t want to study and improve their lives.

Patrick

My experience is that such students become thick-skinned; and preachings or warnings do not work on them.

The problem is, in my opinion, to customize reasons. There are those who do not need to be stimulated, because they have the stimuli within themselves. There are those who need to find the reasons why they have never been encouraged to do so either from the family, nor from the school. These students should be approached first as person and then slowly put to the test for completing the course of studies. My experience says that something can be changed in them, the result will not be the top, but not even the "nothing".

What about encouragement & collaboration? Facilitating situations where their work actual means something, research stays, seminars and talk. Collaborating on papers sooner. Get them interested in the idea of knowledge advancement from their own interest not their works interest.... What do they do for fun? Can conversations be adapted explanations using metaphors in their interest area? The issue is not always with the student. Perhaps the teacher has not found the key.

Thank you for your views. Most of the weak students were also weak in school. When they enter college for pre-university, some of them can be changed. All these years, I implemented collaborative learning and independent learning for them. The last batch were very successful, they improved such a lot. I reported the work in this paper. Have a look when you can :)

Article Facilitating Cooperative Learning Among Matriculation Biology Students

Dear Miranda

The impression is that these students becomes very fond of school, peers and teachers, but not like studying. For what reasons does this happen? There are numerous strategies to make the dynamics of different classes and make them participate more, interact, build, but I realize that many do not want to know anything about it.

The school, in the pedagogical sense, has become a "punishment" for many students. It became a place to meet friends, to chat and combine other activities. The contents are secondary. Many "study" to take the minimum score required by the college because "it is so good." It is the "law of least effort", "is little, but enough to pass the year." There is a light at the end of this tunnel ?

Thanks Prof Nelson, you understand very well. Our students in Matriculation colleges live in very comfortable and safe place. We have a beautiful football/soccer field, a few basketball, volleyball, netball, squash, tennis courts and a gym. All students get an allowance. They love their computer games, and don't use the laptop for much studying. They sleep at lunchtime, and can't wake up for afternoon classes. No parents around to nag at them. As you say, they are content with the minimum to get a place in the university...I have 3 such students. Last year, it was also 3, but by this study week period, 2 had caught the 'exam fever/mood' and improved a lot. The one that refused to change got a D grade; D, E and F are failure grades.

Everyone loves money!

For the students who are not concerned about gaining knowledge, connect the knowledge with money or show them the importance of knowledge in earning money.

This approach should work according to me.

Regards,

Nitish

Dear friends, thanks for your views.

@Prof Kamal, our education system gives many many chances to students.

@Martin, yes. It happens that the smart boys are truly SMART, often better than girls but they are outnumbered.

Nitish, this small group of students are already so RICH, parents have bought them a house! No motivation that works with normal poor kids like me...

Dear Kamal,

Absolutely! If a student is not interested in learning even after the huge efforts of teachers, why should we call him a "Student"? and why should we count him as a part of system? Those students should definitely be thrown out of the system because they will only try to damage the system.

Regards,

Nitish

@Prof Kamal, Nitish et al., actually I sometimes feel just the same about these students. But they are just not academically inclined. If my cousins and I behaved like that, when we were children, we would have been severely caned. But now, the discipline in schools is very relaxed. Just last week, I heard that school indiscipline has become very critical.

When I began to teach at this college 3 years ago, the (previous) Director told us that we must do our best to change each student to become an excellent student!

Dear Miranda,

We can change a student to become an excellent student if and only if the students are ready, but if they come with their mind preset that they will not change, you can't do anything for them. Even your 110% effort is not going to change their mentality.

Regards,

Nitish

Nitish, it's so true. I wish our directors and deputy directors have the same practical mind as yours and Prof Kamal's. Sometimes, I feel they like to put the blame on teachers in general, even those who work hard and work overtime get the blame.