Rebecca,
You make a very good point about how having insight into your students so you can more accurately target your instruction to meet their needs. This is what customized instruction should be about and you have captured it. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Knowing the reason or reasons for your student's enrolling will help you to focus their expectations in a positive direction.
Knowing why they are here we can gain a bit of insight to their world outside of school. If family motivates then we can use this tool when bringing our own personal stories into why school is important. Not only for us as the 'bread winner' of the house, but also to show our children independence and gain confidence in themselves. i.e. If mom can do it, so can I. This helps us tremendously in the classroom when we are relating to our students' struggles and how to overcome the sick child, being kept up all night without sleep and still making it to class. Without this they feel we don't and can't understand their point of view.
Bridget,
They have a sense of urgency and reasons for being in the class. They know what they want and work at getting it. They can motivate other students that do not have the level of dedication that they do.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Srey,
Good way to get a feel for the class and the direction to take the discussion.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find most students enroll to get a better job. For the bulk of my instruction, I plan topics around the specific skills/facts they will need in that job.
Well as you know some students are here because they are forced and other students are here because they were forced out of thier current career because of RIFS, the student that is here because of a RIF is the harder studier and the more dedicated learner
On the first day of class. I write down questions on the board and have them answer the questions. This allows me to gage what the class expects, what motivates them, why are they here, and also it helps pick out some possible students with reading or writing limits.
Ms. Davis, I also ask each student in orientation about their motives for enrolling. It helps plan for problems areas that may come up later on. The students that says "I had to....." could be an area for concern. If the motivation is poor you will have to work a little harder to support certain students and their goals & needs. More interaction and reinforcement might keep this person in class.
Frederick,
Yes, this information is extremely helpful in instructional planning for the reasons you cite. The more we know about our students the more accurately we can be with our instructional planning and delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Knowledge of the reasons why students enroll in my program is very valuable to me. It serves as my motivational tool to modify my instructional plans,in order to accomodate the students' needs. Ultimately this will lead to their success.
I feel knowing why our students enrolled helps us to know our students and their motivations. It helps to keep them motivated if you know why they initially made the decision to attend school.
Brenda,
Yes, it is a challenge. Overall I don't think we do a great job in our career counseling either in high school or at the post-secondary level and as a result with get students that don't really know why they are in the career area they are in. We need to help them see the value of what they are studying or help them find a career area that better fits them and their goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my experience some students really do not know why they are enrolled in the program. They say they are there because "this is what my mother wants". I try to give the students a really good overview of my profession from my many years as a practicing professional. In many cases this personal experience is a great motivator for students. They better understand the profession and develop interest in pursuing the same career. Other students are secure in their career choice and are eager to meet their academic requirements. These students are frequently also motivators for those who are not really sure of their reason for enrolling. It is an interesting challenge to meet the needs of this diverse student population.
Dan,
Variety of instructional deliveries and learning activities blended together help all students to learn based upon his/her learning preference. You are helping to provide this type of customized learning as a result of what you learn about the students and why they are enrolled in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the big advantages to having knowledge of a student's reason for enrolling is when the student falters later on or begins to experience frustration. If a written document of the reasons for enrolling was completed by the student prior to the class, it becomes a source of review later to reinforce the student's reason for being in school. A refocusing tool if you will.
The use of the individualized student cards is definitely crucial here. Often, newer instructors try to present a lesson for all, but fail because it does not meet individual needs in the classroom. Group activities where students can express their needs or get viewpoints from other students of different age and experience will enrich their classroom experience more.
I feel it will help by enabling the instructor to better suit the course to the students. by knowing why they have decided to enroll in the program.
Charles,
I agree with your assessment of instructional planning and the value associated with knowing enough about your students to be able to customize your instruction to meet their needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that one of the most beneficial reasons for knowing why students have enrolled in your program is the development of your learning plan, and tailoring your delivery to each student's specific needs. This will help with your example selection, as well as real world references during your lecture. This will help to make your lectures more effective and beneficial to the career path for each specific student.
