Inadequate Backgrounds
The instructor has to help the students to succeed in meeting the requirements of the programs. Lowering the requirements does not prepare them for future successes.
Yes, I am a new instructor with a medical backround. I am also surprised at the poor spelling and grammar of the students. In my early college days, we didn't have spell check. You would think the students of today would run it before handing something in. I don't want to be an English teacher, but I can't let basic grammar skills go unchecked.
Hi Patricia:
One consideration is having a student who is ill-prepared to handle the basic requirements of a class get together with others outside of class and spend some time with the information at a slower pace.
Regards, Barry
Hi Paula:
In a ideal world, students would be better matched for their career fields. Vocational schools often have minimal objective admission standards because:
1. They are for profit organizations
2. They believe rightly motivated students will succeed
3. They put their trust in the capabilities of the faculty
Less than ideal, but real, in my opinion.
Regards, Barry
Career College/Vocational Schools are opportunities for many seeking to create a first-time career or to re-create one. Often, these individuals have been away from school and writing requirements at a college level can prove to be challenge, especially when it comes to utilizing formats such as MLA/APA. It would be wonderful to have a pre-requisite or English 101 to help provide the student with writing tools to succeed.
I think it is important for administration to keep in mind that no matter how big of a community you live in, the students that graduate from your school are out there representing the school. And if those students seem inappropriate for their chosen career path, word gets around, ie Such-and-such a school graduates anyone. In the long run, this can lead to self-perpetuating application of substandard students and dropping enrollment. Also, schools that have overly-lenient admission or passing standards will graduate students who fail their licensing exam, which reflects poorly on the school's metrics.
Hi Rey:
Grammar and correct use of English in classes has seen some deterioration especially in vocational-oriented courses. Often students in these classes have had little or poor past success with writing and expressing ideas with words. I would hope that adults in training programs would know enough to alter their writing when texting vs. writing for course assignments. Perhaps in some classes, apparently not.
I try to work with students in areas of grammar and English when applicable, even if the writing is not related to the course. By giving corrections without penalty, some students will begin to learn little tidbits here and there. I guess I can say at least I've tried to do my part in addressing the problem.
Regards, Barry
Grammar and punctuation are not going to get any better anytime soon due to cell phone use and texting shorthand. I feel it is a problem that we, as instructors, have to deal with unfortunately. I don't see a solution for this problem.
Hi Stephannie:
It's amazing what a student can achieve when they are rightly motivated. Sometimes, even that motivation cannot overcome basic skill deficiencies, like in math, English, and writing.
Many vocational schools will give an admission test but most don't really assess weasakeness, or address a plan to remediate, or the thresholds are so low the students with serious deficiences are still allowed to enroll.
Yet, all the same, we have to work with all kinds. I can get just as frustrated over a student who can't seem to grasp a difficult concept as I can a basic math problem. So I rely on this quote: "Life is 10% of my cicumstances and 90% how I react to them".
The application here I try bto give all students at least something they can take away from my classes. Maybe some will fail or remain weak in ceratin areas, but I know they will have least gained a few pearls of wisdom I can give in the time I have with them.
I've also learned to be more tolerant and patient, and demonstrating courtesy, respect, kindness when dealing with students. It might not change anything, but both teacher and student feel better about the difficulties being discussed.
Regards, Barry
Hi Stephanie:
Backgrounds vary, and your example exemplifies the need for tougher admission or enrollment standards for certain professional programs, medical being among them.
Since many programs are taught in the vocational school setting, there's that balance between enrollment goals, and quality of student accepted. Some programs have asked their advisory committee's to put basic standards forth in hopes that'll add some validation to program faculty who want to raise standards.
Also, if there are accreditation, licensing, or credentialing standards, these can be cited in order to try to convince the adminstration of the importance of maintaining certain basic skills at admission for these professions.
Regards, Barry
Unfortuately that is the comon scenario in this day and age. Students are leaving high school unprepared and expecting to go on to college and a career lacking at times even the most basic of knowledge. Spelling and grammer have been seriously negelected.
Hi Stephanie:
Good for you. In vocational schools there's a balance in meeting the bottom line and providing quality education. Often, it's the teacher that has to take responsibibility for providing that quality, because of the caliber of student they have to deal with.
Prescreening might help some. I'm in agreement with you. But I'll also share that in my program I can accept or deny applicants. SOmetimes you get students who are good academically but behavioral difficulties begin to emerge. Or, the student is not the brightest bulb in the room, and they struggle, but their heart is right, they try hard, and these ones makes the teacher want to work with them to try to get them to succeed.
The of course you have the meathead who is academically weak, displays childish behavior, disrupts class, andunless they do something awful, they manage to scape by. Thoses are the ones that make leaving teaching attractive.
Regards, Barry
Hi Stephanie:
There may be some things that can help.
If there are any accrediting bodies, licensing, credentialing, certification, or requirements expected by employers, these standards can be used to help establish minimum entry requirements.
Another source is your advisory committee (if one exists). Usually made up of employers and community persons with some influence, if suggestions come from discussions in these meetings, those can be shared with you upper school administration.
If you can get approval to establish certain class or program standards, then, even if less than fully qulified individuals begin your class, they might not make it to the end.
In the end, vocational schools attract individuals who ma have less than wonderful past academic experiences, or none at all. They come to us for job training. Just as in the work setting, you'll find good workers who know what they're doing, and...let's just say "others". So it is in vocational school training, as well.
Regards, Barry
How do you get "the powers that be" to look past the numbers and understand this important fact?!
I have come across the same thing as a clinical instructor at a technical college! My students have daily essay homework as well as a term paper, and the fact that adults in my class have such poor spelling & grammar has blown my mind! I have had to become an English teacher also, because we're in the medical field, too. The further we get in their program, the more points I deduct for these errors, especially if I'm repeatedly correcting the same mistakes over & over. They misspell medical terms & everyday words, lack use of proper punctuation, have poor grammar, & use run-on sentences. I could understand some of this coming from kids, but not adults in their thirties!
I'm in the medical profession as well. In my opinion, my school doesn't have high enough standards for students entering the program. I have brought this up in a meeting, and have suggested that the program director be involved in the interviewing/acceptance process.
Hi Kathryn:
Unfortunately I think many vocational instructors find themselves in a similar situation. It can very frustrating. Often there isn't enough time to teach all of the required curriculum, and add to that English and grammar as well.
Incorporating mini lessons and grammar rules such as you've described seems to be a very pragmatic approach to dealing with the situation. I'm sure the student's benefit from your expectations, and ultimately, their job supervisors will to.
Regards, Barry
I was amazed and surprised, when I started teaching in the community colleges, at the poor grammar and spelling of the students that had graduated from high school or even had a degree in another subject. Since I was in health care I thought it was not my place to correct their spelling and grammar. But, because students were going into a health care profession it became essential that they have adequate grammar and spelling. The reason is because they have to document patient progress in the medical record. It must appear professional and some medical records end up in court if there is a lawsuit involved. When I graded their papers and projects I would highlight misspelled words and inappropriate sentences. They had to correct the errors and turn their papers back in if they wanted a grade. So, I found myself being part English teacher and part health care instructor.
Hi Christopher:
Vocational education is America's great opportunity for lesser students to really shine and succeed at something when other avenues have been closed.
I say given the opportunity, because not all will rise to th occasion. But some will, and they may not have been the best students earlier in life. These students want to change their lives for the better and we are the ones providing that chance.
Regards, Barry
Hi Eva:
Yeah, wouldn't it bewondeful if every student was at least marginally prepared and capable of learning the material in the lesson.
Regards, Barry
