Knowing why students enroll in my program will help me prepare my lesson plans and contents that will better serve and enlighten their understanding of the program. By knowing my students I will contend to make my lectures more suitable to their understanding.
The reason for knowing why a student is enrolled in your class is to help you as an instructor to make sure that the information that a student receive is meanigful and valuable to the student. Also, as an instructor that you are prepared daily, and the learning environement tone is set for the student.
Hi Siobhan,
This is such important information to have because it gives you a connecting point with each student. This way you can target your support on an individual basis.
Gary
If I know what has motivated my students to enrol in college I can better develop my approach to them as individuals, and also tailor my delivery of the curriculum.
Hi Kimberly,
Good strategy for helping students to see the value of and ROI for taking such a course. This gives relevance and application to their career goal efforts.
Gary
It helps to know why students have enrolled and in what degree program they are involved so that I can gauge their level of interest and committment to the class.
For some students, who are only taking the course to check it off their requirements list, I have to work in some discussions about why the course is required for them. For those who can see the benefit in taking the course, I have to make sure to challenge what they already know about the subject matter and skills sets. For instance, if I know that several of my students are paralegal students who are eager to learn about research methods for thier future classes, I make sure to include specific information about advanced research strategies for those who want to go above and beyond searching for more general topics. I might also highlight certain databases in my discussion of library resources.
The students who are there only to check the course off their required course list, I spend time talking about personal research and the value in learning proper skills, so as to maximize credible results. I always let them pick the subjects so the "buy-in" is better.
Sometimes it does help, but when you teach a course which is required for almost everyone to graduate, then the main point it to make the reason for them to be in the course make since to them. For example, I have to explain why medical students have to take Accounting 1.
Motivation is the key in these types of classes. I tell students we all start for one reason but that reason can change before we are finish.
Hi Mirela,
Good points about how the challenges of instruction have expanded beyond just delivering content and hoping the students get it. We are much more in the mentoring and supportive side of learning today. So the more we can develop rapport with our students the higher the level of engagement is going to be.
Gary
Knowing your students' motivations for education will help you to evaluate your students more effectively and find ways to maintain their motivations. In example, when the economy is facing challenging times and employers are more selective of candidates, it's important to remind the students why they are attending school - eductaion is the most important investment they can make in their future.
There are myriad of reasons why adults enroll in colleges and universities now more than ever. Some of them are caused by social factors such as prestige and better look in social environments. On the other side, there are people who, in order to be promoted at work, are required to earn diploma, certificate, or degree. Curiosity and desire to learn something new are also one of the reasons why adults go back to school. Changes in the economy countrywide influenced people’s decisions to enroll in higher education programs. Going through the recession, many companies lost businesses and closed the doors to their loyal and experienced employees. Many positions that required specific skills are gone for good. Laid off workers understand that new skills, knowledge, and abilities are needed. Changes in global business world require workforce with new, different skills and knowledge. Turbulent, unbreakable changes in technology that today intrudes every sphere of our lives are one of the biggest factors that motivate people to go back to school and learn those skills.
All this, and more, has caused changes in our lifestyles thus consequently changes in people’s minds to understand the importance of better education.
Now, the question is whether or not all those who enter the academic world are ready and willing to sacrifice their established, everyday’s routine. Are all of them aware of the fact that learning is a dynamic process that requires total engagement from the student’s part? How many of new learners have the studying habits? How many of them possess the basic knowledge necessary for starting at the higher levels. Some people have the capability to learn quickly, but, on the other side, there are some who have problems to retain information. Are those with different accents able to understand the thought material;… or… those with disabilities? How does their disability affect their learning process?
The ideal, and most desirable, situation for an instructor would be to have a class composed of students who possess all qualities needed for fast learning process. However, the real classroom world today shows different picture and imposes new requirements on instructors to choose different teaching approaches from the traditional ones.
Today’s successful instructors have to possess all skills necessary to teach a complex, diverse group of students in their classrooms as well as to develop strategies for handling classroom diversity. Thus, besides the main task - teaching new material or transferring the relevant information, one of the essential instructors’ activities should be monitoring each student’s learning progress and learn about each individual’s achievement level. That will help them create different approaches to different personalities in their classrooms.
Ms. Mirela Skikic
By, Edwardo Mojena
Knowing your students goals and objectives can better help their over all goal to succeed. As a professor it helps to setup a format for the students to follow and to complete in getting their end result.
I have had students enroll for a a variety of reasons. Most want to be able to get a job so they can have an acceptable quality of life. If the student does not see how the class will contribute to their end goal, they will not be as engaged.
Each student has their own goals and objectives and knowing what those are allow me to address their individual concerns.
Knowing the reasons why a student has enrolled gives the instructor a road map as the how to approach the student, particularly when it relates to the need for motivation. With some insight, we as the instructor, have the ability to inject ourselves into the three main roles as Models, Manages and Motivators. We build on all the skill sets of setting the student up to be successful.
Knowing why students have enrolled in your program can help you plan your instruction, for the simple fact that you are aware of their purpose for enrolling in your program. It allows you to be aware of their goals in which you can structure your class accordingly. Everyones' purpose is not the same and being aware of it will make the learning process much easier and allows for easier accomodation if needed. I feel it is important to an instructor. I feel as if an instructor should know why a student is enrolled in their class.A student may be enrolled but not neccesarily for the right purpose, which is to learn.
To help you know the their needs are and what their goals are
Hi Doreen,
Thanks for sharing your point on how to keep the students on track for learning. You are right that they can fuss a bit at each other and lose sight of why they are in the class. By bringing them back to the reason for being there you can help them to continue to be forward focused and making progress toward their career goals.
Gary
On many occasions I have had discussions with my students to remind themselves and the group why they enrolled. As the students continue with their studies and work with the small groups they become like family and with families comes disagreements. Unfortunately this does happen and when it does it helps to have a session with them to bring us all back to who we are and why we have decided to enroll in the program!
Hi Douglas,
Well said in relation to tailoring your instructional delivery to match the needs of your current student population. All of these variables need to be factored in just as you say so you and your students can stay focused on the outcomes.
Gary
I think this is an immensely important consideration, often depending upon the level of school. At a two-year or trade school, many have been displaced in the workforce and are being retrained. I find those who have been totally separated from occupational status often are more motivated than those whose employer is paying. At the same time, the 4 year and graduate school group are generally far more time efficient and routinely more self-assured. Their motivation is often instrinsic to do better and be in a better place. Often the lower academic-based schools I find are more extrinsic motivated. Hence the learning style and considerations of "stepping into your students's shoes" really takes a new importance here.
Hi James,
This is so true and important for instructors to remember as they plan their instruction. They need to create a connection with the students so they know the reasons for enrollment. Once this reason is known then instructors can build on that as they develop rapport with the students.
Gary
