Dr. Meers, I agree with you concerning this issue that will at some point be a part of the teaching experience. I also would do my best to help the students consider all of the options open to them. That said, if negative behavior continues they need to be 'referred' to the administration... This is only fair to the students who want to get on with a positive learning experience. Thank you.
This is a most fundamental question. If we as instructors have an understanding of why our students are in the class, then we are enabled to make the instructions and class criteria as relevant as possible to their needs and interests. The clips from the lectures at the Harvard School of Business are very interesting and re-enforce important elements of transcendence,empathy, expertise and clarity in order to be at our best as teachers.
As A chef instucrtor I find this to be the case as well.
Knowing my students' motivations for taking my course will help me to make the content relevant for them. I try to connect the concepts they are learning to the specific tasks they will be required to do in the workplace. In this way, they can see the value of the course and can readily use and apply what they learn.
It all boils down to continuous motivation and keeping the students interest high. I try to motivate the students with the excitement of their chosen field of study and how interesting it can be if they look at their future from a future perspective backwards. This keeps them pointed in the right direction early on as well as looking at the overall picture up front.
Hi Lisa,
This approach gives you insight into your students and helps with the development of respect and rapport with them. This sets the foundation for a very successful course.
Gary
Knowing the reasons why students are in my class will certainly help me plan my course around their needs. I always try to individualize plans for students so I can focus on each of their specific needs with writing.
Hi Peter,
Good point and thank you for sharing it. The students need to be on a vision quest in relation to their future. They have to want success and then work hard to get it if they are going to be successful. A quote I like is "10% of life is what we make it and 90% is how we take it."
Gary
As a culinary instructor the students are not getting in the business for the money!!
A high number/most have a "passion" for food and its creative aspects.It is always a fine line between holding that passion and showing them the sometimes harsh realities of the food service industry.I try to connect the learning to the real world whenever possible and make a strong case for the students to "not be average" so they can rise above other employees once in their chosen field.The schools reputation goes a long way to excite the students and joining our classes.
Will give me a better understanding of their motivation and it will motivate me to keep them motivated.
It helps me plan my presentation in such a way that it does not waste their time. This is also a way for me to reassure them of my support for their decision to make a change in their lives.
Most students are enrolled in my class because of their degree requirements. You can more easily answer their questions. They will also be able to enjoy the class more because it will satisfy their curiosity. But it has to be in the framework of the syllabus. We can't teach about gum chewing if the syllabus needs us to throw baseballs.
Understanding why a student is advancing their life is a tool that can help me as an instructor better serve the student. Some students maybe returning to school because of a change in their job status, wanting to make their life better or have been given an opportunity to move forward in life. Each one of these and more can hold the key to unlocking that students potential, each student brings with them baggage and life experience. We as teachers need to understand that combination and make it work for the students. All teachers need to remember we were in our student’s shoes at one point in our life, struggling to make our mark in this world. Understanding why a student is enrolling in my program helps me help them become all that they can be, and succeed on a level that works for them, not the establishment. Students are individuals and should be treated as so.
Hi Theresa,
It is a small world. By this I mean they want to see if they can get another teacher and after they have dropped to come back later and then they find you are their instructor. Surprise! Same course, same requirements. They are going to have to do the work, period.
I teach a core course and I work hard to help them be successful but if they are not willing to put forth the effort then they won't be successful. A simple fact they have to grasp somewhere in their education if they are going to achieve their career goals.
Gary
I teach the pharmacy tech courses. Student who enroll in my courses are there for the program and not just to take the courses. They need to take the courses in order to succeed within the program and I am the main teacher for our campus of the program. During the beginning of the program it is interesting to have students drop because they don't like the course requirements and think another teacher would be better, and I just get them back the following term.
Knowing that students want to be in the program for thier own reason only gets them in class. It is my job to keep them there through various activities.
Hi Debra,
I like to know the reason for student enrollment as well. This knowledge really gives me insight in terms of how to customize my instruction in relation to their career goals.
Gary
Hi Linda,
Good way to open up a new course and get everyone settled in. The more information they share the more they can relate to each other.
Gary
Knowing why students have enrolled in the my program helps me to identify the skill sets the student may currently have or not have. For example, if a student has enrolled due to becoming unemployed and does not have computer skills, planning my instruction accordingly is essential to allow for a smooth flow of learning for the student and the class. Such an instance would be if a student is required to use a computer program that they are not familiar with I would assign a group project to allow the students who are familiar with the program to work together with students unfamiliar with the program. This process takes some anxiety off the student who may not be familiar with a certain function, while creating a sense of need to the student who is helping another student to succeed.
An instructor should give students the opportuntiy to do a brief introduction stating name, major of study, and how this course related to their carrer. AlsO, this will help the instructor to learn names and to remember something unique about each student.
By learning students names as early as possible, and by giving the students and opportunity to give a brief presentation of how this course will relate to their major of study will give me a better idea on how to plan my instructions so that the instructions they receive are meanigful and valuable to the students.
