As a writing instrucot, I build my class format around the reading and writing levels of my students. If a student does not have the reading skills to comprehend an assigned reading, I need to be prepared to offer an alternative for that student.
Hi Phonesavanh- Unfortunately we too often encounter students who are lacking those basic skills. It is unrealistic to hope that in just a few short years we can completely bring those students to the proper level, so, as you mention, we just try to spend as much extra time working with them as possible. Best wishes! Susan
this is very important as it gives you an idea of any weak areas a student may have that contributes to his/her lack of understanding such as a language barrier. This will allow you to try different methods to help the student understand the material or identify weak areas...
The assessment of gen ed skills (reading, written communication, and math) important to instructors because it is the foundation for learning to build on. Students who enter class without these basic skills will have a difficult time being successful in the classroom. In my class, I find that students who don't have those basic skills get frustrated with the new terminology and interpreting graphs/charts. I try to spend more time with them but it is difficult for both the instructor and student.
HI Pattera- Thanks for your post to the forum and a very good explanation of the importance of general education skills! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
General education skills are the foundation on which students build specialized knowledge towards their career. Evaluating their performance on this skill set allows the instructor to get an idea of where individual students may have difficulty learning/applying the current material and offer insight on how to better present the course work.
It is important for students to be able to apply the new information learned into direct application. The student will not be able to effectively apply the new information if they are unable to write about, speak about or process the topic.
Assessing general education skills helps give instructors a baseline for understanding the knowledge level of students. This helps me know how to teach the material so that every student learns in my class.
Assessment of general education skills will give the instructor knowledge of the students skill level and help them to evaluate the students faiely.
Hi Helen - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your example of the importance of general education skills is great - thanks for sharing!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I currently teach Medical Assistants. I find it is very important to apply general education skills, even in the medical courses, because when they are practicing as healthcare professionals they need to be aware of these skills at all time. One small spelling error could mean the wrong medication, procedure, or billing to the patient that could result in many problems - or even legal issues. It is very important for the students to have all these skills.
Hopefully they have these skills prior to attending college. If not, there is no way they will succeed until they possess them.
It gives the instructor a basis to create the method of presentation of the course he is about to teach. Having information about the students allows the instructor to use the variety of methods of teaching that will apply to the students at hand.
Hi Perry- Thanks for your post to the forum. You do certainly have a diverse group of students. This is certainly challenging but you have the right attitude! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
With my students (I teach Medical Assisting and Patient Care Tech Classes), it allows me to see "where" each student is. I have some students straight from high school and others who are adult learners starting on a new career path. Once I know the extent of a student's basic knowledge, I can format my class for everyone's needs.
Because you have to know where the students are in their education to know how to help them reach their final goal. You have to know how to teach each student.
As instructors we need to have a means of delivery and the students need a means of delivery to critically think and reflect on the knowledge gained in a class. If a student does not have the proper reading skills they cannot absorb the proper information that is provided within text books and reading materials. Without the written communication skills they cannot express the information that they have learned or apply it in some cases. Core math skills are needed on a daily basis in everyday life. If this is a daily life skill then it is also applicable with classroom skills. For example, a student with poor math skills may not be able to fully read or express statistical information in an accurate way.
Hi Carla - Thanks for your post to the forum. As you mention, if we know the abilities of our students we can better plan our lessons to accomodate them. Where it gets tricky is when you have a class with really diverse ability levels!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Christina - Having that informal evaluation of your students does indeed give you some very useful information on how to best teach those students. Susan
Knowing your students is crucial to effective teaching and learning. If you assume that these students all have these skills, you may be letting these students down. In my introductory classes I like to use questionaires to establish communication and evaluate how my students learn, what they know and what their goals are their goals for the class.
