Students behavior
Students in trade schools are not college students who do have all the input to study without excuses.
Edie,
And your students can probably sense those early circumstances you experienced. It just comes through. Whenever possible, I try to give some bit of individual attention to every student every class session, and my comment attempts to build up and acknowledge each student has value to me, and the profession they're training for.
Barry Westling
I do not share a lot of the experiences my students have experienced, but I graduated high school one year early, left home at 17. I worked 3 and 4 jobs at a time to put myself through college and I was a full-time student. I had plenty of the same excuses our students talk about. But, I relate when they are proud also and when they try so hard, I want to try hard for them also, "Been There, Done That" and I understand!
Ricardo,
Yes, we need to embrace diversity, encourage independent thought, and recognize critical thinking. Recognition rewards and reinforces more of the same. Also, tolerance of less than perfect behavior helps contribute to credibility and trust.
Barry Westling
The students' group always is created with different personalities, culture, languages, and knowledge.
That's why the instructor' method needs to be careful about the different students behavior.
Santiago,
It is so important for the student to feel their instructor is pulling for them. I think many students have much chaos in their lives, and school can be stressful, but also a respite from their woes and struggles. So, when we portray an avenue to assist them for a better life, their likely to embrace that hope.
Barry Westling
In my opinion, the student has made a decision to continue their education. With that being said, many obstacles may hinder success. Social economic status, demographical location, financial support, or even transportation. One needs to understand his/her learners, identify what drives them, personalize teaching methods and sell the WIIFM!! Once the student realizes the value in the area they chose to pursuit and minimize obstacles, showing that you care can make almost any student successful.
Irum, I completely agree also sometimes the student who is academically challenged is not the problem, but the student with limited experience in their chosen field and have excelled in other educational pursuits; these students sometimes have difficulty excepting they are not as academically prepared for a new and challenging curriculum. They have difficulty understanding why they are not receiving higher grades right away. I find these students to be the difficult and challenging for an instructor.
Irum,
I think we have to be real, as in understanding that there is likely a lot of behind the scenes personal life situations most students are dealing with. It's true we need to prepare students for the world of work, but setting impossible to attain standards are not realistic, in my opinion.
Barry Westling
Most of these students are actually working too. so if we give them assurance and try to understand their issues they not only start learning but also try to focus.
Cynthia,
I believe students in all settings appear to us with their special abilities (and needs). In a student centered atmosphere, it really matters little what the setting is if our approach to instruction is correctly aligned -- and that would include taking all students as they are, and trying our best to get them from point A to point B successfully.
Barry Westling
I disagree, trade schools have as much interest as college students.
Jean,
Thank you for your active participation in these forums. You know, it said (and I believe it's true), we get the most out of things when we put more into them. Your students should appreciate your contributions to their education.
Barry Westling
Thanks again for the valued feedback.
Jean,
I believe most instructors who really try to do their best with preparation and planning for their classes end up getting satisfaction knowing they helped their students. And it's wonderful when students begin to express their sentiments of thanks and appreciation. Keep up your good work!
Barry Westling
I do understand and support them. I use every opportunity to offer encouragement and place them in situations that will complement their skills. Patience is a challenge and priority for me as an instructor, I am working hard at it. I appreciate your feedback.
Jean,
This describes a student behavior that not that is not uncommon and does pose some challenges. I try to respect every student for who they are as individuals, give my best to offer support and encouragement, and be willing to be approachable and patient.
Barry Westling
sometimes the student who is academically challenged is not the problem, but the student with limited experience in their chosen field and have excelled in other educational pursuits; these students sometimes have difficulty excepting they are not as academically prepared for a new and challenging curriculum. They have difficulty understnding why they are not receiving higher grades right away. I find these students to be the difficult and challenging for an instructor.
Walter,
I believe it's our chore and challenge to work with who we have. It's true, career, trade, or vocational schools often attract students whose past academic history is less than wonderful. But these students often also have high hopes, eagerness, determination -- wow, I wish all my students possessed these traits. When they are given an opportunity to excel, student behavior problems often straighten up on their own.
Barry Westling
