knowing your student
Diversity of the student such as age and culture provides formidable challenges for the instructors. Ignoring the unique backgroung of each student sets the tone for transferance, perceptional inaccuracies, and alienation of the student. Many students may look at you as an authority figure, parent, spouse, or friend. Each with positive and negative effects on their life, may resemble the instructor's persona. It is important for the instructor to be sensitive to the students background and fear. this allows for a solid rapport and relationship.
I feel that as a young instructor it is important to focus on what I have learned through my time in the field. I try to bring real life examples of what I have been through and what I have seen. It isn't always a matter of how old you are, it is a matter of what you can bring to the classroom.
What about when you as the instructor are really young compared to your average adult student in the classroom? Is there some easy ways to gain credibility with older students? Is there a way I can appeal to them and inspire them without appearing as too ambitious and an upstart who doesn't know anything? In what ways can I really speak to them and gain their admiration and influence them?
Charlene,
I teach evening classes as well and you are right about these students. My students have worked all day and are tired but ready to learn. They are there to reinvent themselves or to grow in their careers so they are dedicated and focused. I need to have well prepared content available to them in such a way that I can contribute to their growth and help them reach their career goals.
Gary
Most of my classes are evening classes so students are generally older and usually employed. I like to start the first day with asking each student to tell the class a little about themselves, why they are in school etc. I also tell the students a little about myself. I find the students find they have a lot in common with other students but may not have taken the time to learn those commonalities. I then ask what their goals are and what they want to do when finished with school. Sometimes the other students have valuable insight in reaching those goals. I then try and tailor the class to fit what I have heard. Many times I will run ideas for future meetings by the students for their input. It gives the students the chance to be apart of their learning experience.
We have all age groups at our institute and dealing with that sometimes is a little stressful. I make time to lisen to concerns or fustration in older students and i try to lead them in the right direction. I think the best thing you can do for a student is to show they are very important to you and to the institute, always have time for them after all they are their to learn from you.
