We have a variety of students. The age group is mostly 18-22 years. The maturity level varies among those students. We also have alot of GI bill students who are somewhat older and others who are crosstraining from one career to another.
The classes I teach have a assessment test and after a few days in class, when we are ready to go to lab, I usually have the experienced, mature and willing in each group as part of the mentoring process. If I let the class pick their own groups, all the experience is in some groups and all the inexperience is in other groups.
You are so important in the mentoring process, Terry. The informal times are what matter.
Dr. B
Being an instructor, I too, have seen this kind of mentoring going on in classes and hallways.
I have seen the same thing. It seems the older students are a a true "adult" figure to the younger ones. They seem to listen to the older students and go to them for assistance. I will use this to my advantage in the classroom. I can usually set up groups with an older student in each one and I am finding a greater success rate in doing so. I think the younger students see the older ones as on their level and can relate to them easier and in most cases, the maturity level is higher as well. This gives the younger students a wall to lean on and someone other than the instructor to bounce questions off of.
I agree with the mentoring programs, I encourage all students to get a mentor
I agree it has nothing to do with age. It has more to do with a deep understanding of the subject that is being taught.
I like that too. Consider teaming for mentoring younger students. This helps.
Dr. B
i really enjoy having older (mature) students in my class they do tend to take a leadership role
by talking with the students at the begining of the class you can tell who is willing to help and also who is capable of helping. Mentors of the same age seem to work better the an older person helping a younger one (or the other way around).
Mentors probably cause more learning by sharing examples. Mentoring and advising are core processes... not, always the same process. Why?
Dr. B
I also see that same class mentors help other students learn, some times having an example given to a student by another student get the point across
I have seen that as well.
I agree ,i am not saying to put the load of mentoring on some student in the class ;however i have seen in a class a student to step up and take a class'mate and put him /her under their wing and mentor that student!
This is a vaulable resouce that we need to take advantage of .
Good deal. You are right, students want to be asked to be mentors. Besides, this is an opportunity to improve your relationship. A good relationship equals trust, you know.
Dr. B
I look for students who are willing and able to mentor at the begining of each class. I do not take a poll or anything but I do ask questions and try to get to know each of my students during each rotation. One of the KEY points I hear from all my students concerning mentoring is they don't want it to be assumed they will take on the role in each class. I have been told that some instructors identify students who are leaders and then expect them to just step in to the role of mentor. It has been my experience that any student who is capable of mentoring still wants to be asked to fill that role. It really goes back to being courteous and keeping open dialog with all your students. I truely do try to treat them as I would have them treat me. My students respond by giving me respect because I show them respect-that too can go a long way in retention.
I do not think maturity has anything to do with that, I saw less mature student motivate older. It is more a question of personality. I may be wrong.
Frankly, the key is advising. Academic and career advising helps students to keep their vision alive. Thanks, Rachel.
Dr. Banks
I think mentors, whether faculty, staff or students, are truly essential to success. I also liked the description of asking student at the end of class in a open forum how they are doing and if the need further clarification of any assignments or projects. This will something that I will use more frequently within my lectures
Hi Mark,
The first step in retention is to hire people who will focus on student success. And, the second step is that of academic advising. Or, another word for advising is mentoring. You will improve several percentage points if a mentoring process is implmented and centered on career themes.
Dr. B
I agree with the mentoring programs, I encourage all students to get a mentor and keep my eyes open for any informal mentoring opportunity. I also tell my students that most successful people have mentors.
