Student Does Not Want to Learn
If a student does not want to learn it could be quite mind boggling.
To see a student waste his/her time is very unconfrontable.
I would do everything in my power to ensure that the gratitude of learning would be very fulfilling.
I would explain the importance of having an education vs no education and how far you can excel in life financially and the respect you obtain with an education vs no education.
I believe the student does wants to learn. However, sometimes when entering a new school and a new environment he or she may get so overwhelmed at the amount of work or learning that is required they feel everything is way over their head. The failing student looks around at all the other succeeding peers in the classroom and becomes shy or does not feel they are as capable.
I agree with engaging students, but I let it be known in my classes that most students learn at a different levels. It is helping them to understand the material at hand that is important. I get criticized in evaluations from the students that I move along at too fast a pace, even though every minute I am asking "Is everyone with me?" Usually there is silence, why, because no one in the class wants to appear as if they are not getting it.
I really have to work harder to seek out the students that are just too shy to speak out.
Hi Michael,
Good question, hard to answer. Much of the answer depends on why the student doesn't want to be there. If the reason is strong enough there isn't much an instructor can do to bring the student around. If the student appears not to want to be in the class but isn't dead set against the class with support and encouragement this student often start to see the value of what is being taught. For the students that have a real hard edge about not wanting to be in the class, I try to engage them in the class, develop rapport with them and show them that I am a professional that will be of help to them if they in turn will try to be successful in the class. This will sometimes win them over since they want to please me a person that believes in them.
Gary
How do you address students that are enrolled but don't really want to be enrolled?
Hi Kymberly,
You make a number of good points but the one that stands out to me with many students is their lack of understanding about the financial returns that come with training. As they say "Do the math". Nine of the ten fastest growing jobs in America require post secondary training. Also with today's economy skill training is a must to be competitive. That being said what are some examples that you use to inspire your students to remain in school?
Gary
