Hi Richard,
Certainly, this is a topic of great interest, simply because we as educators have these type students. It is no doubt hard to teach in college what should have been taught in high school, but we try, simply by offering all the techniques you gave.
Patricia
75 replies so far indicates a lot of interest in this topic. I find the hardest students to be those who are unprepared to be in college. Never mind right out of high school, some are, some aren't, but it seems that a lot of high schools are not getting their graduates ready for independent, critical thinking, nor apparently teaching them very much. (But in fairness my school generally gets those who are in the bottom 1/3 of their graduating classes.)
So what do I do with a person at anywhere from age 18 to about 50 who is thrown into one of my classes (science/math/geography)and doesn't have a clue how to study, or knows the basics? I offer them a lot more time after class--right down to teaching the multiiplication table--give them web sites with tutorial subjects to study on their own (they don't), encourage them to come during office hours for more practice (rarely done), and pay more attention to them in class to see if they are getting it.
If they try I go all out to help them. But sadly about half eventually leave the school since they were unprepared to be there in the first place.
Hello John,
There is nothing like freedom. Freedom can make you are break you in college. It is a task trying to keep these party animals serious about college.
Patricia
Student straight out of high school.There away from home and there parents for the first time in there life and having fun is more inportant to them than school. I like to challenge them with other projects besides there core assignments. Like having them repair training aids or looking up parts so I can restock for me next rotation.
Hi Cynthia,
It is just something about walking around the class during lecture or nonlecture. Walking around the class has always worked for educators. Walking around the class lets the students know the instructor is in full control, and things are being monitored. Humor is a good teaching technique as well.
Patricia
I find that it is the less mature students who are more unfocused in class. One technique that I use it to be sure to walk around the class as I lecture. I also throw in a few jokes here and there to make sure that the students are paying atention. If they weren't before, most students will focus into class if they realize that they missed something funny.
Hello Rachel,
Imagine that, students not wanting to take responsibility for their grades. You are absolutely correct, it is always someone else's fault, except their own. I have a few of those students too; they are a challenge.
Patricia
Some of the most challenging students are ones that do not take responsibility for their own grade. It's someone elses fault that they do not have a passing grade.
Hello Teresita,
I too have experienced some of my more challenging students to be from the baby boomers generation. They are simply horrified of the computer. I think the advice/talk you give to these student is excellent. Using yourself as an example helps to motivate the students.
Patricia
In my experience, my most challenging students are the older students - in their fifties. They easily get frustrated and most of the time would like to give up. Most of the time, I tried to understand their frustrations. I would talk to them privately and explain that their frustrations would not get things done and would not take them anywhere. Especially, in my computer class; some of them find a hard time just using the mouse and of course doing keyboarding. I let them know that I myself started late in using the computer and that I tried to help myself in learning and getting more practice and I became successful on it.
Hi Douglas,
In most cases my most challenging students are generally the ones right out of high school, therefore, I can agree with you, however, from time to time you get some older students that can be challenging as well. Currently, I have a student right out of high school, and I was able to determine very early during the module based on her actions. The most important thing is that you must get them to understand that they are in college now and not high school, and they must take a serious and mature approach to their education. I am sure you can attest the strategies mentioned are very helpful.
Patricia
My most challenging students are fresh out of high school. They want to be treated as an adult, but still act like children. I've started on the first day of class asking my students what they want to learn from me. This lets them know that I am willing to work with them.
Hi Kelvin,
I have seen where leadership really causes a student to truly focus. There are some students that must feel important at all times. Without importance, the student becomes really bored.
Patricia
Hello Benson,
It is a shame to be in college and trying to hide. Most of the time monitoring the classroom will keep students focused and also allowing students to participate in discussions. A private conversation with the student normally does the trick.
Patricia
students that i find not engaging themselfs i will usually put in charge of certian things and let them have control of that area usually that puts them in a situation where others are depending on them and their classmates hold them accountable
The classes I teach are relatively small (16 max), so some students that sit in the back row and try to hide is rediculous, but they still try. Even with some bigger classes, simply walking around during lectures or focusing questions to them may work. In most cases addressing the problem students individually outside of class solves 99% of the problems.
Hello Mike,
Isn't that amazing for a person to be in college, and they have no idea as to why they are in college. I have a student in my class, and he is truly there because his wife is an educator and his wife's parents are retired educators, and these kin folks want to see him make something out of himself so that he can contribute to the household. It seems as though the student is simply just going through the motions to please his wife and in-laws.
Patricia
My most challenging students are those that really have no idea why they are here. I usually try to find out what it is that excites them and find a way to tie that into their school work.
Hi Glenda,
I teach classes with a mixture of ages as well. You are right, the younger students seem to be more challening. The younger students are just not as serious. At times, I have a private conversation with my most challenging students to give them pointers as to how and why they should become more focused.
Patricia
I teach a class that is a mixture of ages from 18 to 50. I have found that the younger students are the most challenging. I've stuggled with ways to get them more focused and will now be using several of these strategies.
