Eddie,
Good analysis of the differences between generations. This has been my experience as well with my student demographic. So I provide the individual support that is needed to help my students be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Elecia,
Recognition is a powerful motivator. My students will work extra hard just to earn candy. So we can use this to support and encourage our students as they move through the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The retention within the class room depends on the responses from the students. Diversity is a sensitive subject matter that excludes the person involved and focus on the students that are more equipped to deal with certain situations on hand.
I have found that older students are usually more commited to their success because they have been in the "real world" and they know the competition out there. They do, however, thrive on positive feedback and acknowledgement of small successes just not as much as my younger students who are still trying to find their way in so many areas of life. Honest and constructive encouragement of all students never hurts.
I completely agree. We started holding student recognition events at our school every 2 months or so to recognize students with exemplary grades and attendance. It has been very impressive how much this affects the current and new students. It seems to motivate our students to want to achieve the high grades and aim for perfect attendance. While they are only receiving a certificate and pin, they are also being recognized in front of classmates.
I my self have always been and adult learner, and did not want those to not succeed due to any reason realted to my age. Most adult students have a lot of responsibilities already.
Consuala,
Right you are. The more we can help make a connection between the younger and older students the stronger the application and understanding of the content is going to be. Older students can be motivators for the younger students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Student retention is more of a concern for younger students as older students are more focused and motivated.
Kimberly,
In relation to your last sentence it is difficult at times to figure out how to support such students. They are facing issues that are so large that they are unable to overcome them so they drop out. We work hard to let them know we understand that they have to step out for a while but we also work hard to let them know they are always welcome to come back and that we are going to be here for them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
ATUL,
Respect is earned and goes both ways. If the students respect the instructor and in turn feel respected then a mutual foundation has been created for rapport and professional growth.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree that the older students I have had are very motivated. I had a situation with one student who dropped out because she was not doing well in the class. Her performance was not great but she was really trying. Faculty gave many suggestions on how to improve her studying skills. We later found out that she had too much going on at home which was preventing her from devoting the time she needed to her studies. For the most part adult student do very well but I have had some difficulty helping these students figure out how to juggle school and family life.
I am strongly agreed with your posted comments. At the same time adult students are also looking for respect in the class room. Any positive stimulus to these students will motivate them to attend classes regularly and not to drop.
Chanda,
I greatly appreciate having older students in my classes. They bring such rich backgrounds to the class and really help to channel the younger students because they know why they are there and are motivated to achieve.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have actually had quite the opposite expereince with my older students. The older students are more motivated, dedicated, and serious about their education than the younger students. They may be at a disadvantage from a technology persepctive but they do make up for it with their determination to succeed.
Paul,
My older student are much like yours in that they are there for a specific purpose and they know what that purpose is. They are focused and engaged so I pair them up with younger students in learning groups and each group learns from the other. Makes for the development of respect and mutual growth.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
That may be the case in your school but in Trade school I have found that the older students are more committed to be there and our younger students have more of a problem sticking with the class.
I have learned that with all the outside issues that adult students face with children, jobs, family and so on any lack of motavation would be very damaging to the cofidence and success of an adult student
Their need to realize success is utmost as many need a boost in self-confidence if just returning to school.
Excellent topic
I absolutely agree. By making older student feel like they have something to offer that is of great value not only retains them but also empowers them to become leaders within the classroom setting.
Keith,
So important in retaining older students. They need to see early success in their classes if they are going to stay and complete their training. The more we can help them be successful the more their self confidence is going to grow.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
