This student sounds like he or she is feeling the impacts of alienation (e.g., "I just don't get it", "I came from another program".) and an excessive workload (e.g., "I am trying", "I have gotten overwellmed".) Per the attrition management section of the lecture, I can help this student by "offering tips on time management" and "providing regular interim progress reports". In some cases, students put too much pressure on themselves. This pressure can prevent them from attempting to complete assignments. In these cases, I counsel students to adopt a step-by-step, trial-and-error approach that breaks the workload into discrete, manageable tasks. In other words, I encourage them to just give it a shot, take one assignment at a time, and explain that they might surprise themselves.
Kelly,
Great points. Such a critical element is for the students to know you care about them and are there to help them anyway that you can. Oftentimes they feel disconnected from the online course, and that personal touch will likely keep them in the class and be enough encouragement for them to continue and succeed.
Herbert Brown III
Those are great ideas, Cally! Looking at past work would be a good indicator to see if there is a pattern. The extra assignment covering the areas they don't comprehend sounds like it would be beneficial as well.
I would message them personally right away. I would make sure I am enthusiastic about how I am always happy to help and that it is no problem whatsoever. I would say we can work together to achieve them grasping the concepts and passing the course!
I would also identify their strengths in the course so far, to try to build up their confidence.
Maybe there is also another way I could present the topic they aren't comprehending. Find some additional resources for them to explore, such as websites or online videos.
Another idea would be to give an example of a time this may have happened before. "This person had trouble at first, but after practice, passion, and dedication, they are now working in the field..." etc.
Generally I would look into the students past work to see if I have missed something with them, checking to see if they have been handing in assignments and grasping the course material.
Based on their skill level, I would reach out through email and offer some help with maybe an extra assignment covering what they don't understand and arrange a time I can see them face to face to go over it.
I would first reach out and encourage the student that I am happy to help. I would suggest tutroing if available, and definately any labs that can help.
Lisa,
All good points. Oftentimes there are other underlying issues that might be contributing to the problems students are experiencing. If we don't take a proactive approach and try to determine all of the underlying issues, it makes it very difficult to successfully help students.
Herbert Brown III
Lisa,
All good points. Oftentimes there are other underlying issues that might be contributing to the problems students are experiencing. If we don't take a proactive approach and try to determine all of the underlying issues, it makes it very difficult to successfully help students.
Herbert Brown III
I think I would send this learner a private exploratory email to find out more information. I would want to know if there were language barriers or other circumstances contributing to Learner 1 feeling as though s/he could not succeed. I think I would offer personal support and also try to help Learner 1 get engaged in the discussions more. For example, what did Learner 1 like about Learner 3's post, specifically? Can s/he articulate what might be of interest or stimulating to them about the course? I would try to get Learner 1 excited about his or her own ideas and then encourage him/her to share.
Zakaria,
Good quote. Sometimes the students just need a little more encouragement and help and that is enough to get them back on track. Sometimes we find out that there are other underlying issues that are the root of other problems.
Herbert Brown III
I would communicate with the student privately over email (and maybe try and have a private chat with the student if the student is comfortable with that), so that I can understand what exactly troubles him/her. Is it the lack of adequate background, or something else? After that I will provide some directions to some readings of simplified materials and outline the most helpful sections in the book in order to develop some kind of knowledge on the subject matter, while encourage him/her not to give up.
Some lines of encouragement that I have used and did work “if a man made it, another man can understand it. However, It may take some longer to understandâ€.
Zak Saleh
I woul e-mail the student pointing out the various help in place at the school to insure student success. In addition, my availablity to discuss any course related topics and provide additional content to assist the student in achieving more confidence in their ability to handle the course material. I would also re-enforce the aspect, that replies on their peer's contributions should be related to the discussion content.
First, I would email the student and ask learner one to please refrain from this type of expression. I would explain that by him/her doing this brings down those they are responding to and the tone for the classroom is to be professional at all times and that this would be considered disruptive behavior. I would then offer my assistance to call and meet with this student in hopes of resolving whatever true issues are keeping them from becoming engaged within their studies. I might ask why they began classes in the first place and what their goals and dreams were. I would then explain how this particular course will benefit them and aid them in reaching those goals.
As the instructor, it's important to pick up on those cues and get the attention of this learner immediately. I would send a private email and ask specific questions about which concepts they are not getting and how can I help. Also, I would privately respond to the post to Learner 3 by continuing the lines of communcation in a synchronous setting, such as a personal phone call. In a public post, I would encourage learner 1 to elaborate on his or her own ideas as they add value to the discussion. Furthermore, it's evident that Learner 1's response to Learner 4 shows Learner 1 drifting further away.
For the sake of all students, it's important to provide a periodic pulse check recap/summary so as to assess the level of understanding with the class. Other useful tools include assigning learning team projects and referring the student to online tutoring/student resources.
As an instructor, I would reach out to my student and let them know that I am here to provide them with any help or guidance. I can offer to communicate with them by e-mail, phone or even chat. I can possibly recommend that they meet up with me during my online office hours; this way we can discuss any questions he/she may have regarding the course material.
Matthew,
Yes, good point and analogy.
Herbert Brown III
Definitely, I feel students concerns/needs need to be taken seriously. In fact, my experience in management has allowed me to use my professional skills into my class room. For example, a lot of managers spend nearly 55% just listening to their employees. A lot of times your associates just want you to listen, and this kind of reminds me of students as well.
make sense?
Matthew,
Do you think that the students concerns have merit? I agree that personal communications with any student that has concerns is beneficial. If you can contact them by phone that can be beneficial as e-mail message can sometimes be taken wrong depending on the wording of the message and contents of the message.
Herbert Brown III
Yes, I would reach out to the student immediately as well. This will encourage the student to call or email you with any questions or concerns he or she may have. In my opinion, they want the reassurance someone can help them if needed.
First, I would probably give this student a personal phone call to answer any of his questions and also may help put the student at ease. In fact, I give all my students my cell phone number. I would encourage him to reach out to me if he has any questions or concerns as well.
