Learning your students
Knowing your student will help better your teaching method
Hi Robin, You are wise to carefully observe students. As you mention, we can often see what they have not expressed.
Susan Polick
What kind of tools do you use to reach these goals?
My main job is an adjunct clinical instructor. In the beginning of the course I ask each student what their experiences are in the medical field thus far. If I have a student who has no medical background, I observe them closely in the first days of clinical in order to get a baseline of their needs as an inexperienced student. I also observe the experienced students carefully to see what their actual knowledge and performance is compared to what they have told me. I will try to set up a "buddy system" to have the weaker and stronger students be available to each other as needed. This seems to be very helpful to both parties and develops positive peer relationships. This usually works out successfully and helps me tremendously since I have many students to follow.
Hi Aki, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, students do need to feel that they are achieving, so small goals and having pre and post assessments to demonstrate student progress are essential. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
If students do not believe that their efforts are likely to improve their performance, they will not be motivated to work hard. To motivate students, we need to set standards that are challenging but attainable with reasonable effort. To identify an appropriate level of difficulty, it is important that we develop an understanding of how a student learns which will motivate them to learn.
Always fun to learn something new everyday
I completely agree with you. I would add that there is a balance required here between knowing your students too well and also how much time is spent evaluating students in depth. I think you need to develop a system that works for you and use it consistently.
HI Joseph, Thanks for your post to the forum. That's an excellent question! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Absolutely! One of the hallmarks of a good instructor or teacher is getting to know your students. One of the biggest questions a teacher must ask themselves is, "Why are my students attending this class?" Each class cannot be the same since your students are never the same. Change and adapt your lesson with the needs of the student.
