Perfect. Students want to know about career paths and they want to hear war stories. Do all that you can to link courses to jobs.
Dr. B
Sure does. Thanks for sharing your story.
Dr. B
We need to zero in on what made the students interested in a particular career path in the first place and carry that passion and enthusiam throughout the entire program. Being the positive role model of the chosen career will inspire students to finish what they started. Being available to provide guidance when things get tough will also re-energize them to get back on the road to success.
I have tried this method before and it works. I had a class that seemed to be unfocused and always complaining about everything. I soon saw that there was a leader of all the negative remarks, who was influencing the rest of the class. I decided to take him to one side and explained to him that his complaints should be shared with me first and then we see what we can do to fix them. After that when I did my demonstration I asked him to assist me with the hands on part. It was great, he turned his negative remarks into positive ones, and really had a different attitude after that, in fact The whole class dynanmics changed, it was great.
We can change there attitude by talking to them making them understan how he can change is life for good with education.
Perfect... developing a relationship is one key factor in building trust and in improving retention.
Dr. B
Most of the students here don't seem to have that problem. Most are super motivated when they first get here and some sour on the experience down the road. I try to develope a report with them , and get them to understand that this happens to even the most motivated of us. I use the fact that I graduated from here 20 years ago as a example of the fact that I still love what I do and that they can too.
That happens and you can split them up. One key is to get the ring leader to be on your side... by involving him or her. Just a thought.
Dr. B
Alot of times it is not the attitude that the student has but aquires from other classmates. whether peer pressure or just to be "one of the guys"I see that some times if they group together they feel that they can control and sometimes you as a teacher need to see this happening and split that group up.
Good question. Suggest that forming a relationship (as hard as it is) is the first step in changing an attitude. They need to know how much you care and why their educational program will help them to get where they want to go. If they link what you are doing to future success... it helps.
Dr. B
