How do you stare clear of being a babysitter?
Sometimes trying to motivate a student who is having a rough time outside of the classroom and is distracted from class work because of those issues can sometimes seem like babysitting.
I feel that treating everyone the same, and being consitent with everyone is important. But, so is treating them like individiuals. Some students seem to "not get" things or remever the things that the rest of the class does, so If that happens in my class, ie: 2 people that sit next to each other and spend time together outside of class dont realize that the assignment is due on Tuesday, but the rest of the class turns it in... The two that swear that I didn't say "it is due" or didnt see it written on the board lose points.
That way, it is fair to everyone, and maybe the two that weren't paying attention will start being more responsible if they lose points in such an avoidable way.
When working for a profit school, there is sometimes a fine line between providing excellent customer service and stepping the baby sitting boundary.
I try to model a sense of ownership over my own successes. I try and set the tone the very first day by saying: "I know that everyone in this room is investing a lot of time and money to get the most out of their education. I know that nobody is here to get less than good grades. I know that everybody here wants to give forth their best." When dealing with students with lower skills, I will say, "I'm going to show you how this program works and next time, I'll ask you to show me." This way students know that customized help is only offered for a limited amount of time.
Hi Philippe,
An important concept that is many times not gotten by students. They are adults training for a career so they need to be independent in their efforts to acquire the knowledge and skills needed. They have to be able to do the work if they are going to be successful upon graduation.
Gary
I like to remind them that the reason they are taking this course is to prepare them for their career. If they expect to have their hand held in school they will expect this in the "real world".
Hi George,
You hit upon a key point about students understanding that they are adults. They have chosen to enroll in a career college to gain career skills. When they forget that fact they tend to need some more hand holding even though they are adults. We instructors need to adapt our approach to meet their needs while supporting them to take adult responsibilities for their future.
Gary
you need to let them understand that they are adults and they make choices, be prepared to call them on it when they have made a bad choice and let them understand it was their decision. on the other hand praise them when they make a good choice or acknowlege it in front of their peers to give them a boost and then you wont have to babysit they will be engaged.
Hi Anthony,
Sometimes even adult students forget this most important point. They are responsible for their future.
Gary
tyreating them like adults and not babies and telling them on no unceartin terms that they are responsiable
