As a culinary instructor my most challenging students are the ones who have allready acumulated years of industry experience and feel as though they know it all allready. I use them and their lack of intrest in the basics to show the entire class that even though you may have been doing this for years, you might not have been doing it as it was originally intended. There are many shortcuts in this industry that you can pick up. So I let them talk about the way they are familiar with a task. Demonstrate it their way and then also demonstrate it the correct way to show them that good and great are drastically different in final results. But very small details are what sets the two apart during preparation.
My most challenging students are know it alls and recipe dependant students. I handle them both in the same manner...listen to thier argument, then explain my theory given my years in the field, and finally show them the two final results.
Hello Joshula,
Your strategy sounds like a winner. As instructors, we have to be as creative as possible when trying to deal with unfocused students.
Patricia
Hi Barry,
What a clever way to handle students who are just in school for mom, dad, etc. I like the tactic that you use to try to motivate this type student.
Patricia
Barry,this sounds like a good way to handle the situation, has it worked? I am interested in knowing how to encourage students, my strategy would be to find out what he/she is interested in and take them to that place, or talk to a person in that position. Intern programs or a working position might help to show what it would be like.
Joshula
The most difficult students I have to deal with are those who are attending to fulfill an expectation of family or other such external (versus internal) influances. If I can't get a student to internalize their motivation, by any means, my opinion is that they are on a fast track to no where.
To counter this, I try and find another reason for motivation, if it is not career or monitary gain, then perhaps impressing potential dating partners or reducing tension at home could be the motivativator.
I also explain that someday they will want this education and what can we do now to insure that they have it when they need it. I do this using examples framed with their own words and full of real life situations.
I think in a class you can find the students not paying attention and the center stage students and you need a strategy that works for both. I would and have used the minute test after a discussion so that there would be more than one in a class period. I think students would be more attentive the next class.
Joshula
Hi George,
The fresh out of high schoolers really do have a lot to learn about the game of life. Pairing a high schooler with an older student is a clever way to try to reach the high schooler. I am sure this tactic makes an impact.
Patricia
The ones who are just out of high school. They did not realized yet that the skill learned in the college setting will be their livelihood.
Assigned them in smaller groups with one or more older students in those groups. The older students with more life experience help me to guide the younger, chellenging students through their assignment. The same time - with peer pressure - make them realize that they are also part of the team.
Hello Patrick,
It generally works whenever students are talking about nonrelated subject material, and they are asked to share it with the class, they tend to immediately become quiet. This is an old trick, but it has kept its effectiveness.
Patricia
trying to streamline their energy and having them refocus on the course.
asking them if they want to share their comment when they talk to their peers about something else than the class content.
Hi Judy,
I can tell you care about your students' success. Remember, if you make a positive difference in one student's life, you've made an impact. Continue to shine as an educator!
Patricia
Hi Vivian,
What a way to take students under your wing. Continue to guide your students by teaching them study and organizational skills. These students will always remember you as getting them on track.
Patricia
Hi Abundio,
What a way to nip the center stage student in the bud. You put a stop to things immediately. I too believe in not letting this type student control my class, you must end the nonsense. Continue to maintain full control of your class.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the ones who are capable of doing well and fail to do so because of their lack of interest or because they do not complete their assignments. I do prefer to have students who put in some effort. I grade assignments and return them with feedback by the next day, so I am able to quickly tell which students are not completing the assignments. I then ask for individual meetings in which I discuss their lack of interest. I try to find ways to praise and encourage them, and assure them that I know they are capable of doing the work; I usually let them know that my goal is their success. I point out how this grade affects their GPA and I try to relate the assignment to them individually. This works sometimes.
Students who have not been in a college setting are the hardest students. Sometimes they are straight out of high school.
The high school students are challenging because they don't always know whether they are in the right field or what they want to do with their future so they are often unfocused. I ask them to share with the class why they are in the program and what they want to do. I do that in every class I teach even if I have taught that group of students before in another class. It gets them to connect with why they are here.
Often times the students who have not been in school for a long time are hard. They sometimes lack the confidence and may find it intimidating to see younger students succeed in areas they are not completely familiar with such as computers.
I work with those students on study skills and I sit down with them and create a calendar of all the coursework for the entire length of the term so they can organize their studying.
MOst challenging student that I encounter those student the certer stage, always try to get everyone attention.
I find it amusing that this type of student usually not as bright as he act to be. So since he like to be in the center, he will be the first one I always ask the question, guarantee instead of making a fool of himself, he will throw a joke answer. To get everyone started and really paying attention, then I follow up the the question asked to other student. Then later usually everyone want to be involve. So I find work on the student.
I dont embarrass him, I used him as opening act to get everyone attention. Then I go haead and continues the lesson, after that the center stage student usually come down and odnt want to be ask question again.
Hi Eric,
As you have done, it is always good to try to point out to students how the subject matter can benefit them either or both personally/professionally. Sudents like to know why they are taking a particular subject.
Patricia
Teaching a subject that is sometimes considered useless or too mathematical for some students, I always try to focus on the fact that despite not liking the subject or not having any passion for it, it is part of their curriculum and that in their future professional life, as a business owner, a manager, they will have to be versed in the subject.
Hello Roy,
I am there with you. I experience the same things with the classes I teach. When a class meets once a week, it is imperative that the student comes, especially the not so bright students. Catching up in a course after having miss so much can be a bear.
Patricia
