Donald,
You last sentence is so important for everyone. Looking forward to going to work to do something you love to do is worth way more than the $ you receive for doing it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Knowing Why the Student have enrolled in the class and what their expectations are Helps
You can Relate Experiances when giving an Example in Class. Its Nice to know that they want to do the Job becasue they want to do it not just for the money. I have always told my Childern Pick a Career that you enjoy not one you hate getting up for.
Renata,
This is very important because then you can help them work toward their career goals. Also, knowing that you care about the reasons for them being enrolled is important in keeping them engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
On the first day of class I always take time to get to know my students and I ask what they have been doing in their previous career or job and why they chose to enter their specific program. This allows me to find out what their goals are and what they have accomplished in their life.
Understanding why a student is enrolled in your class helps you realize what they plan to do when they graduate. Knowing this helps you prepare projects that will focus on topics to help them gain employment after graduation.
Bill,
Sad but true. To have the opportunity to go to school and advance one's knowledge and career should not be wasted. For some students it is wasted because they lack the desire to want to change their lives.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree.Most people who are made to go to school do not learn anything.The individual has to be the one who wants it,not everyone else.
Joseph,
You make a good point that is often forgotten by students that are training for a new career after being successful in one previously. They are starting over as hard as that may be but with their life experiences and a strong work ethic they soon will be moving up the career ladder. This is why the reminders are so important.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students enroll in school for different situations. I plan my curriculum and lesson plan based on what it is I think is the most important aspect of my class. I have had some students that enroll in my program because they feel they have run out of options in life and want to try something new. Then I come across students that are motivated, energetic self starters and are ready to hit the work force running. With all this being said, I plan my instruction based on the students needs and what it is the student is looking to gain out of program he has enrolled in. During every new class introduction I require the student explain to me why it is they have enrolled in the program. By doing this it has helped me to determine the students short term and long term goals as well as who really want to excel in the program.
If the majority of students are here because they have been forced to by the economic problems of the last few years, Help them understand that studying for a new career is a great way of re-entering the work force with a career which will most probably lead to a more productive work experience as time goes by. It does not always lead to more money at they enter the new career at the beginning.
This is an important and valuable piece of information because it will help the instructor understand the needs of his/her students and in turn possibly make minor adjustments to meet their program expectations and requirements.
Marla,
Good reasons for knowing why students are enrolled. I like knowing this information as well for the reasons you cited. This helps me to be able to customize my approach with them as we move through the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Knowing why a student has enrolled will give you baseline information on their seriousness. For instance, if a student enrolls because their parents made them go to college, they might not take it as seriously as a student who has to go to support their own family.
You can also learn what the student expects to learn from your class. Are they trying to just get by, or are they planning on utilizing the information to the fullest in their everyday career activities?
Typically students that are serious about their enrollemnt, because they NEED the education for their livelyhood, will be more likely to benefit from the class because they will apply themselves on a deeper level.
I feelthat it is so important to understanding why a student enrolled because it give a platform of why the student enrolled, and what the student is looking to get out of the class. It can also be used as a motivational tool if the student is having troubles.
Just having the personal approach to the students needs shows that hte student is important.
Understadning the reason the student has enrolled in the college is key because this is truly what motivates a student to succeed or not. For example if the student has enrolled to provide a better lifestyle for their family then they have a great self motivation tool to use and they will be eager to learn.
If on the other hand the student has enrolled because the other choice is to spend time in jail you are going to find a student that does not has very little motivation to succeed and will need some more motivation from the instructor.
Kizzy,
Good point about the "Big Picture" aspect. Without it many of our students will continue to follow the failure trail and that benefits no one.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
This was a very big problem on our campus recently. However, encouraging the students to know and understand that the type of financial motivation is most likely a "Loan", helps them use other factors as a motivator.
I've taught the MA program in multiple schools within multiple schools. And if there is one thing I’ve grown to understand is my student population does not change. Fortunately, this has enabled me to perfect my craft. I understand that most of my students are a mixture of HS drop-outs, Workers left behind, single parents, or retirees. Most must enroll in order to complete a task or start a dream. Understanding the diverse population has equipped me with the tools I need to deliver the content in a way that benefits everyone. Students, regardless of background need to see the “Big Pictureâ€, or the light at the end of the tunnel.
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the comments. I just find it to be discourging to see students that seemingly want to be here and are spending the money...but then they are not here. I guess as you say, to do your best and encourage them and comtinue to enjoy teaching.
Regards, Steven
Steven,
I think all of us educators have a class segment like this. I try my best as you are but in the end it is their choice to be successful or fail. I support them the best I can. I get my satisfaction from my other students who are going to take the course content and move forward toward their career goal. I refuse to let the non-engaged segment take away my joy and excitement about teaching.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
