Hi Brenda,
I agree about your analysis of different times in relation to how students respond. I teach from 4 until 10 pm. My students are tired from working all day but they are dedicated to their studies because they know what they want just as you indicated. I keep the class moving, change pace frequently and have a lot of discussion and interaction because even though they are dedicated they are human so they can wear down quickly if I only lecture.
Gary
I totally agree that there is a difference between morning/afternoon students vs evening students. I have also noticed that most of the time the students attending the evening program are more career focused and more secure about what they want to accomplish. This is very helpful to guide them through the class if we as instructors take the time to discover their goals.
You definitely have it easy, I have a mix of younger students and older students and it's half the people are there and the other on surfing through facebook for the twentieth time today. Since my class is a friday night class from 5-11, I have to hear about how I am keeping them away from their party plans all the time.
I work with young adults and in evening classes and even still tryig to bring them into the learning inviroment can in it self a big job .
Just trying to get the student to calm down from the days events in some cases is almost an over powering job and can cause these students not to have a stronge focus on the day class material, I have been trying to break the ice of the day with a few short stories during the class as a kind of break and then getting back into the information that is being covered.or having them bring something of themselves into the material.
I agree. I night classes, sometimes from 8pm to 11pm. If you do not have some way to grab their attention, they will go to sleep.
I have found that most of my night studetns are very focused. They are better at time-management and are fully able to multi-task. They are usually older students and they rarely complain!!
Hi Myron,
I agree with your assessment of the different types of students based upon the time of day the class is taught. My 4 to 7 pm students are much different from my 7 to 10 pm students. My 7 to 10 students are much more focused and hungry to learn even if they are tired.
Gary
Gary, I have noticed in our student body, it is actually easier with most of the night students.
This is due to them "wanting it". They are all enrolled and here to lear for a career change, or to better themselves. Yes they are tired from working all day, but the have a drive to succeed like no other, for themselves, their families, or whatever. Now the afternoon student on the other hand is a different story!!!
Hi Robert,
I can only offer a suggestion that may or may not work since I'm not that familiar with "down time" in the restaurant business. I would develop a set of skill tasks that the students could work on when times are slow. I would have a requirement that each student would complete a set number of these activities throughout the course phase. This way when down time occurs they know they need to complete a knife skill exercise, decoration project, or something else that fits within the curriculum. This keeps them working but still within your range of supervision.
Gary
Dear Deborah and Gary,
I often but not always teach evening culinary arts, practical which means running a restaurant....cooking and serving. I do notice the difference in the amount of attention to instruction and detail between a daytime and evening class. I also notice that when the school restaurant is going to be busy it is much easier to keep the students on task. When it is slow, it's like herding kittens. Do you have any suggestions to help me with these challenging sessions? Rob
Hi Deborah,
Since I teach evening classes as well I hear you clearly. They are tired and hungry when they get to my first class (4:00-7:00) and even more tired and have full stomachs during my second class (7:00-10:00)so I have to work even harder on that one.
The fun part is coming up with activities to keep the students awake and engaged during the classes. For sure no two classes are ever the same.
Gary
