Retrospective
Hi, all.
I've discovered that being retrospective in both the classroom environment and the work environment are extremely beneficial. I must admit that some times it is difficult to realize problem areas that you have.
This is the toughest area in my opinion. Being open minded enough to understand issues is a challenge. Primarily, because it is difficult to realize that the problem area is yours as a teacher and not that of the students (or boss).
I have been assesing feedback from my students daily. I do have a small class; but, they are all eager. They also have individual methods of learning - that can be a challenge. Also, I find it difficult to determine if an issue is truly mine, or if it is an excuse for poor performance.
I recently had a guy drop out. The reason doesn't really matter for this discussion; however, I took it very personally. E.g., how did I let him down. Did I let him down? Or, did he simply have other obligations.
He spoke with the Registrar, etc., and I still don't really have a good idea what the issue was. I would like to know. Based on the Registrars feedback, it wasn't my methodology; but, I can help but wonder how I could have improved and kept him more involved.
Thoughts?
jay
Hi Jay I to have a hard time when one of my students drops and I have no ideas as to why. it is really hard and we do take it to heart literally simply because we know how important education is and we know what our desire is so we hope that we can share that in the classroom with the studnets. I have learned that no matter what an instructor does or how far they go to save a student so to speak that sometimes it is the student for whatever reason. I recently had a student come to me because she could not understand her instructor or the material being taught so instead of wanting to utilize the tutoring center and put a little more effort into the instructor and having a little patients she bailed when the going got tough. It is sad but so true she failed herself all on her own. Thanks for your post
Jay,
I'm a big fan of expectatations. I believe if as instructors we clearly state our expectations and have a clear pathway for instruction, then basically, the shift in responsibility goes to the student to fulfill their part, as in all partnerships. The reasons students fail to follow through can be a mystery, and it's only natural to wonder if something more could have been done to prevent that decision. I think that there often is a lot of "behind the scenes" activities going on and, even if we knew about them, we would have little ability to change them. So, in the end we can just try our best, be patient and helpful to students, and offer encouragement and support.
Barry Westling
