Making students feel important
I beleive this is a very important factor in students attrition. I have seen this first hand and it has worked both ways. I had a student come to me in her first MOD ready to withdraw. I asked her to give us one more MOD and if she still felt the sam way we would go from there. I spoke with her instructor and told him some ways to fix it. He went in and asked her to teach some of the newer students a procedure in lab and from that minute forward she did a complete turn around and is now one of our top students.
I have also seen the power of making them feel important backfire as well. We have a student who is the leader in her class but not in a positive way. When the attention is put on her she projects that power in a negetive way so we have learned to not give her the attention and she does just fine.
I use candy. Not all of the time. At first, i throw out a lot but when a student that doesn't participate very much does, I throw them some candy and make sure I let them know they are doing a good job. Walk over and high five them. Let them know they are just as important as anyone else.
For some students it may actually increase their stress if it creates additional transportation or child care issues.
Nicely done, Stacy. Did every class member have an opportunity to be a team leader at some point during the academic period?
I like this idea for students taking educational field trips based on their program. I bet it will take off some stress from their daily activities.
I had a similar experience with a very young student, in fact, the youngest in the class. I believe she was feeling as if she was not a worthy and contributing member of the class due to her lack of "overall life's experiences" in comparison to the other students as well as the number of students in the class. Because the class was so large, I decided to establish teams in the lab setting to facilitate practicing and "signing off" of skills. She was given a role of team leader which ultimately established her as an equal and contributing member of her class! It was a success!
I have the students chose their own projects assist with the questionnaire sheet for the toics being discussed. Instruct to all the class including me; this makes the student feel that they do have something to offer and their options count for something.
In my experience, yes, for most students. Acknowledging student efforts and achievements confirms how valuable they are to the school and their career and further motivates most to maintain good grades to reach their goals.
Rosalie, is this important to the students? Does it motivate them?
Again, I feel retention has a lot to do with the personal attention one gives to the student
Student success is recognized by giving awards, certificates and pins for various achievements.
Rosalie, do you have an unique techniques to recognize achievement that might be useful to others reading this Forum?
Making students feel important is relevant to their success. Showing a general concern for them as a person and recognizing their achievements motivates students to keep going forward.
Is simply doing activities together enough to have this impact, Tania? Do sections of students have different "personalities"?
Oh my goodness I think this is so important. Another angle of them doing activities together is that they get to know eachother on a more personal, non school related level and then develope an appreciation for eachother. I have found that my classes that have this, they respect eachother much more and are so much more supportive of eachother. While other classes seem to compete against eachother, which is good in small doses, but the ones that support/help eachother, I find, have a higher success rate because of the support structure and not having that added peer stress.
Traci, do you use stickers/stars/etc to signify good performance? How about a board with pictures of students who have done something exemplary?
I believe making the student feel valued as a professional employed in the field they were trained in is highly valuable. I emphasize how valuable the information and care they will give their patients when they are employed. Giving the vision real value, then helping them to picture themselves in that position. When they are observed doing well even in small matters I encourage them about what a wonderful clinician they will be.
Sounds like you have a good rapport with your students, Sebastian. Do you have any suggestions for new instructors about how they can develop that relationship?
Being an Instructor for many years I realized that the most important thing is gaining the students' trust , that I'm genuinely interested in their training and success in their new chosen career.When a student sees an Instructor being hoest,caring , really concerned about the training he/she provides than the student would get also motivated.Most of my students feel comfortable to talk to me about different challenges in the personal lives that interfere with their training and I try with them to find solutions to handle school and family responsabilities.I'm always available for my students before or after class, with counseling, or tutoring .
I incorporate my projects around the student picking a subject to Instruct to all the class including me; this makes the student feel that they do have something to offer in their field to others.
