Understanding requires understanding
After watching a TED talk on teaching featuring Rita Pierson I realized she summed up retention in one simple concept. For you to be understood as a teacher you must first understand the student.
I agree. Often, the students are younger, and just starting out in their professional life on their own for the first time. By relating to them and showing how you may have faced a similar situation and overcame the obstacle, it will show them how to do the same. They will hopefully feel comforted and that they can get through their issue and continue with the course.
After 7 years, I still love doing it. It is the one or two students that work hard at it. It is a pretty cool feeling having someone look up to you and "soak it in" so to speak.
I agree,Robert; it's essential to be excited about your subject material, but it can be tough to maintain that level of intensity. What do you do to keep excited?
Tim, how do you make the connection from things that need to be sorted out to talking about tough times in your life?
I think some things in a students life have to get sorted out. Some type action needs to take place. I will talk about some tough times in my life.
I think you have to be excited about the subject you facilitate. Every one I cover, I try to show it is my favorite one. The students seem to want to stay. I also cover real life experiences which the students like.
It may be more than not remembering what it was like to be a student, Lea-Anne. You are asking your colleague to change their routine and take on additional responsibilities; something that not everyone welcomes or is good at. Are these nurses given any coaching on how to handle their new charges?
Hi Jeremy, that makes alot of sense. I have an issue when nursing students come to my place of employment and the nurse I assign them too complains. What irritates me the most is I guess they forgot what it was like to be a student themselves. I appreicate students as well as teachers as I have been a life long student and am becoming a new teacher.
Jeremy, simple concept; tough to master. Did Ms. Pierson offer suggestions how to do that?
