Learn strategies for motivating students who struggle with submitting assignments online and how to help them succeed.

Once you know the problem, offer solutions like more time, extra help, or different assignment formats. Inform the student’s parents or guardians so they can help at home. Connect the student with school resources like counselors or tutors. Praise their efforts and progress to motivate them and encourage positive behavior.

Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

Dealing with a student who never turns in work online. Can you motivate them to succeed?

Encountering a student who consistently fails to submit assignments online presents a unique challenge. It's crucial to understand that this behavior may stem from various underlying issues. Your role as an educator is not just to impart knowledge but also to foster a learning environment where every student feels capable of succeeding. With patience and the right strategies, you can motivate even the most reluctant learners to engage with their education and turn in their work.

1 Understanding Causes

To address the issue of a student not turning in work, it's essential to first understand the possible reasons behind their behavior. Is it a lack of access to technology, difficulty understanding the material, or a lack of motivation? Engage in a private conversation with the student to determine any obstacles they might be facing. This empathetic approach can help you tailor your support to their specific needs and build a rapport that encourages them to open up about their challenges.

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Sapna Bhatia

English Trainer Helping Individuals To Speak Fluently & Fearlessly For Professional Growth!
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Once you know the problem, offer solutions like more time, extra help, or different assignment formats. Inform the student’s parents or guardians so they can help at home. Connect the student with school resources like counselors or tutors. Praise their efforts and progress to motivate them and encourage positive behavior.

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2 Building Rapport

Creating a strong relationship with your student is pivotal. Show genuine interest in their wellbeing and acknowledge their strengths. By establishing trust, you make it easier for the student to approach you with issues that may be affecting their ability to submit work. Regular check-ins can help maintain this relationship, providing the student with a sense of stability and support within the educational environment.

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Phillip P.
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Foster a strong relationship by showing genuine interest in the student’s well-being and strengths. Regular check-ins create a supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing challenges. By nurturing this rapport, you can motivate the student to engage and succeed in their online work. 📚

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3 Setting Goals

Goal-setting can be an effective tool in motivating students. Work with your student to set realistic, achievable objectives for both the short and long term. These goals should be specific and measurable, such as completing a certain number of assignments each week. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, to reinforce their positive behavior and build their confidence.

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4 Providing Resources

Ensure your student has access to all the necessary resources and understands how to use them. This includes not only the physical tools like computers or internet access but also educational resources such as tutorials or extra help sessions. Clarify any confusion about the submission process and offer to walk them through it if needed. Sometimes, demystifying the technology can remove a significant barrier to completing assignments.

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Helen Lewis

I teach doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals English for Healthcare, with a focus on the OET.
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As a person who struggles herself to navigate technology, I find a bit of time spent on navigating a system in front of someone else very helpful. Performing the relevant action while being watched and receiving encouragement and validation is very helpful. If a walk through can be followed up with some kind of reward, even in the form of a fun emoticon or warm message, this reinforces the sense of reward and increases motivation to do it again.

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5 Offering Flexibility

Flexibility can be key in supporting a student struggling with online submissions. If possible, offer alternative ways of turning in work, such as email or physical copies. Consider extending deadlines or providing additional time for assignments when appropriate. This flexibility demonstrates understanding and can alleviate some of the pressure that might be hindering their performance.

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Yasmin Saddique

Lecturer. Carer. Trustee. Tech enthusiast.
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Ask the student how they would ideally submit the work and see if it is reasonable. Unless succesfully submitting the work online actually forms part of the assessment, you should be flexible. Consider their suggestions and make adaptations where possible. Take it a step further and offer these options to all the students; if it can help one student, there's a good chance the different submission options could benefit others in your class.

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6 Encouraging Self-Reflection

Encourage your student to reflect on their learning process and the consequences of not submitting work. Ask them to consider how their actions align with their academic and personal goals. Self-reflection can lead to self-awareness, which is often the first step towards behavior change. By understanding the impact of their choices, they may become more motivated to take responsibility for their education.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Dealing with a student who never turns in work online. Can you motivate them to succeed?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Understanding Causes

2 Building Rapport

3 Setting Goals

4 Providing Resources

5 Offering Flexibility

6 Encouraging Self-Reflection

7 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

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Dealing with a student who never turns in work online. Can you motivate them to succeed?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understanding Causes

2 Building Rapport

3 Setting Goals

4 Providing Resources

5 Offering Flexibility

6 Encouraging Self-Reflection

7 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

Rate this article

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