Getting the 411 on the Student
You have to find out what is the base problem with student. Then you can proceed with finding a resolution
Hi Lawrence,
You are right, that this is a method that can be used, but I frown upon it. I like to judge students for myself and get to know them myself; I don't like others opinions of someone else. I get with the student to find out the 411 on he or she.
Patricia
You can find the 411 by asking other instructors that have had the student and get all the info you need
Hello Allen,
Do not prejudge students and do not go off someone else's opinion of a student. Get each student a fair chance.
Patricia
I agree,preconcieved notions about someone in your class serves no purpose.With differant personalitys come differant interactions.The person may have had stress in their life dureing the last class that has now been taken care of,or maybe the subject taught in my class is of more interest to them.
Hi Sarah,
We have a similar duty at my school. We have to verify telepoone numbers of students the first day of every grading period. Instructors call all absent students in their 10:00 a.m. class. We have learned a lot from calling as well. It is best to be proactive instead of reactive. Most students appreciate the call.
Patricia
Hi Lynne,
Sometimes we have to get a little nosey so that we can find out what's going on with our students in oder to better understand things.
Patricia
Yes I just experienced this situation today. I had no idea what a student of mine was going through in her personal life. After having a conversation with her it made sense. I now know why she was so distant in class and had trouble concentrating.
Although it is time consuming, all instructors have to call a student and find out why they missed a class. I go over nunmbers the students are to call, the first day they come to my class. I also give them email. We have found several problems right away, by calling. Just recently several students were having transportation problems, one was having problems with his family, another had a significant other go in the hospital. Knowing their problems helped us sort out ways we could be of service to our students. Sometimes, just knowing that we cared, helped the student stay on track.
When they are in group projects they are strongly recommended to exchange email and phone numbers with each other and they know to email projects to each other and me if they are out. Those students that take the time to get phone numbers and emails have a higher success rate with their group projects. It also boosts confidence of all the students if a group member is away but still working on their part of the project and giving them updates.
Hello Josh,
I really do not particularly care for pow wows. I like to enter the class and form my own opinion.
Patricia
I agree. We work on 6 week modules so every time we switch classes I always have a pow wow with the instructor who just had my incoming class and visa versa. It really helps.
Hello Toni,
It is important to get to know your virtual students as well. An introduction is great because you do not get to see these students.
Patricia
I agree. I ask all my virtual students to post an "introduction" the first week of class. This allows me the opportunity for a little "window" into their lives.
Hello Tyson,
In their permanent file you should have their valid contact information as well as reference numbers. Utilize forms that they completed to become enrolled. These forms are very helpful for personal contact information. We use them all the time at my institution. If the phone number is no longer vaild, call their references.
Patricia
So the difficult students that don't want to give their "411," how do we reach them?
I find that telling them a story of something I have been through that is similar helps, but am I being too personal to the student?
Tyson
Hi Shaista,
At my institution, students must call in if they are going to be absent, and the registrar documents the time and reason. We try to get the students in the mode so that this behavior occurs if they are going to be absent from work.
Patricia
At our school we need the students to inform if they are planning a abscense. They have the cell phone no of all the instructors they can contact us by text message, call or email. But they have to inform us in writing of the reason
Hi Nicol,
Wow, you seem like a retention coordinator. I fully understand because we try to contact students at my institution using the methods you've mentioned. We've also had a lot of luck contacting students using facebook and references they have listed.
Patricia
We are required to call students as well. Most students have someone in the course that they have developed a buddy system. Which is good because through their buddies at some point they are the ones who not only care about their friend's progress, but may provide information to the instructor regarding absenteeism. We also try to contact the student by letters and emails.
Nicol
Hello Robert,
At my institution, instructors must call students who do not call in. I've inquired to their friends to find out about them. I've called reference numbers. I've sent out letters and emails.
Patricia
