The very first lecture of a course, I always give students a lecture on how to be successful in college. Giving them techniques and teaching them how to study is important because many people never learn this in their previous education or different study methods are required for more rigorous material.
Jeffrey,
Good way to break down the concepts into the basics and then build from there. You are right about this being the point where they can get drawn in to using their creativity to solve problems.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
What I found that works well is to get the ideas down to the simplest terms. When they see that there is no rocket science involved in what I teach, I add a few other ingredients to the picture and the light bulbs go on and they see the many directions that the concepts can go in and that it is their imaginations that are their only limits.
Falisia,
I like to use them as well for the reasons you state. They help to engage the students and get them to thinking about how they can have a successful future if they are willing to invest in the effort needed to acquire the knowledge and skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do think visual exercises are extremely beneficial to our students. This way our students are able to see what they would look like in their future professions. Not only do students need to see visuals, they also need to practice their skills frequently. Practicing skills often will improve a student's confidence and ability to perform in their future career setting.
Kerry,
This is such an important part of teaching. Students need reinforcement but it needs to be done in a way that enables them to value the reinforcement and grow from it. It is fun to see the growth of students when provided with this type of learning atmosphere.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some of the ways I help my students overcome their fears is to keep on reassuring them that they are doing a great job. I wonder how many people before me have ever said that to a student. Sometimes they don't quite know how to handle the compliment but I continue to reinforce their good work. Kerry Matthews
Jennifer,
Thank you for this good information about how feedback has helped your students to develop rapport with you and become more engaged with the learning process. This type of connection with the students greatly increases the value of the content you are offering.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I really appreciate your point. I have found that when teaching adults, feedback is crucial. A teenager might just toss a graded paper into his or her backpack, but an adult learner tends to really examine the feedback provided and use it to improve on the next assignment. I teach writing and public speaking and I've really noticed that providing feedback is what has helped me to establish relationships with my students.
Danny,
Glad you are enjoying and benefiting from the information you have received thus far. Your comments about non-traditional students needed success is right on target. We need to help our non-trads to have early success in our courses so they will see that they can be successful from the beginning. If they don't they quickly become discouraged and then we stand a very good chance of losing them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For the nontraditional student, the "feeling" of being successful is an extremely diverse concept... depending upon ever-changing variables. The first module give a few tastes and look forward to the following modules for an expanded view.
Mariesol,
Good strategies. Concerned students like this need early success in class along with your support. It won't be long before they are settled in and are able to focus on their learning goals for the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To overcome the fear I would help the students stay focused on the specific course and not get overwhelmed with the thought of having a lot of classes. Positive visualization of the career goals and introducing them to people in the field that they can relate to will help
Jeanne,
I really like the way you build support for your students as they are starting your course. You approach them with examples and stories including your own so they can see that you have been where they are. Then you give them strategies for being successful and provide them with a thought process that can help them to move toward their career goals. From there on it is up to them to put forth the effort and success will come their way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to provide an open welcoming environment initally and every day. I do reinforce their concerns that the work is challenging but is doable. I try to get them to recognize and then reframe their negative head speech and turn it into positive thoughts and affirmations. I give them examples: such as "this is too hard, I'll never do it" to "this is hard but I'm working hard and I can do it." I offer them a blank piece of paper to put positive affirmations on and/or a grade they are striving to achieve during a test. I try to get them from a negative focus to a positive focus and head speak. I shre with them the anxiety I had when I went back to college in my thirties and how my kids gave me poitive support and helped me believe I could succeed. As my confidence grew so did my grades and my ability to master and retain concepts and Ideas. I stress the power of positive thinking, positive attitude and belief in themselves. I also encourage them to ask questions, get tutoring and any other assistance they need to succeed.
Robin,
Students love hearing application and real life stories from their instructors. These stories help the content to come alive and shows them application of the information.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I too agree with you Deborah. It is a definate plus to express to the students that I believe in their success. It helps to know as a student that you have people rooting you all the way through.
I have found that discussing real life experiences in the college setting and sharing my own experiences not only helps the students in their student success but it helps them to see that I am human too.
Vincent,
Good way to establish a supportive and comfortable environment. Once this is done then it is up to them to put forth the effort to be successful in the class and work toward creating a future for themselves.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Annie,
You have captured the essence of feedback when you say good and honest. This is how students will be able to grow and develop the needed knowledge and skill sets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
