How to deal with a student falling behind
I have used all resources available and techniques, but I have one student that participates in class and seems interested in the topics at hand, and also volunteers. But when it comes to test taking, it is all downhill. Any suggestions how to reach this person. I have already talked to her one on one, I myself suffered from test anxiety, so I tried to give her some suggestions on test taking, so far nothing has worked.
Hi Jeffrey,
Good point about student failure. Failure is the easiest thing to achieve if you have a mind set that says you are going to fail. Then you can blame others for your problems. As instructors we need to do all that we can to support early course success for our students so they can build on that success throughout the entire course.
Gary
Preparation is the key to being confident with test taking. I would guess that this student is not willing to spend the necessary study time to be prepared to succeed on the exam. As a result, he avoids the test to avoid failure. However, by not taking the test, the student has guaranteed failure for himself. So, he is in a state of denial. I would explain this to him directly. Too many students are not honest with themselves. They fear failure, yet they take the very actions that will guarantee failure.
Hi Christopher,
Yes, I do. The more information we have the more help we can be to the students. With our course phases being rather short time is a real factor. As you mentioned we need to learn about the instructional supports these students need quickly. To wait several weeks to discover these problems will be to late. Knowing what previous instructors have discovered will greatly speed up the process of keeping these students moving forward.
Gary
It is good advice to catch the failing student early. I will be teaching a course that is heavily math-based with many students who graduated high school with less than complete math competency. I have a firm belief that high school level math is something that almost everyone can master if given the proper motivations and personal tutoring time. I will need to steer these students to my institution's tutoring resources as soon as possible.
This is a very small institution where many students follow the same order of classes. Do you think it's a good idea to talk to the students' previous instructors beforehand or early on in the course to get input into how to help students as quickly as possible?
Hi William,
I hope some of the participants of this course will respond to this question. This is a common problem in all career college settings where an academic subject such as math is required and needed for career success. We have had good success with the use of graphic displays of math concepts in relation to the career field. We have used student developed flash cards to memorize certain formulas or recipes when students couldn't do the mechanical aspects of the conversion problem. Don't know if any of these ideas will work in your setting.
If you have additional information to share I will be glad to talk with you on developing instructional supports for these students.
Gary
I teach most of the math/culinary/business courses and there is fear of these courses just from student's history with the subject. I have tried assessing their math competencies from prerequisites only to find they still have problems with basic math. My biggest challenges are accounting for hospitality management and basic culinary math in costing recipes with all its conversions. So, I have many students who fall behind every day. At least 20% or more of my students qualify in the "student falling behind". Any ideas?
I don't know if this is possible, if the school will let you do it, but can she take the test in a different office or maybe in the student lounge. I would try this and try to get them when you don't have class and you can sit in there with them and let them take the test. It just might be the fear of the classroom, take them out of the element and put them in a place they feel comfortable.
Grab students attention and assess any issues affecting his/her performance.
Hi Fernando,
Good strategy for increasing the test taking abilities of your students. Your method will also help your students to retain the needed course content.
Gary
I totally agree with you.
Students who have difficulty with test taking present a challenge to all instructors. I for one try to review past exams with the student in order to measure and observe how he or she reasons through a set of questions. Therefore, I have been able to focus on what areas or topics they are having difficulty in.
Regards,
Fernando P.
Hi Pamela,
Sorry that the interventions and supports you have tried haven't worked. I like you don't like to give up on any student but sometimes students will baffle you with their lack or response to help.
It may take a period of time or some significant event in the life of the student to "shock" that person into wanting to succeed. Even though the potential may be there it is of no value if it is not used. I would try and develop a contract with the student and see if she responds to specific requirements and times.
It may come to the point that you have exhausted all you can do for her and she will have to fail. Then she can decide if she wants to try again or walk away from school.
Let me know how it works out for her. I wish you the best with this situation.
Gary
Thank you for your reply Dr. Meers. Unfortunately, I have tried all of your suggestions. I have offered reading the test to her. I know she can do the work, she has proven this to me in our lab time. I have offered extra credit, she has not responded to this offer. I have asked her if there is anything I can help her with. And if so, to let me know. So far nothing. I am still being hopeful though-I do not like to give up on people, she has way to much potential!
Hi Renee,
Keep in mind as a new instructor that "common sense" still has a great part to play in the teaching profession. Use your observational skills to identify those students that need your help. You will find that you can have a major impact on their lives by developing rapport with them and offering them support when they need it.
Gary
I am a new instructor, so I appreciate all the input on how to recognize and approach a student who is falling behind...try to catch it early I would think!
Hi Mona,
I not exactly sure of the question you are asking concerning providing student support. Can you expand on your question a bit more and I will be glad to give you my input on it.
Thanks.
Gary
Hi Pamela,
Is there another testing format that you can use. Can you give her extra time in a quiet place? Read the test questions to her and let her respond? Have her perform the skills related to the items being tested? These are a few of the questions I would ask to see what kind of test support she needs to have to be successful.
For example I had a student with a such a problem and by reading the test questions and having her respond verbally she was able to past the test with high marks. She was a verbal/auditory learner and needed to be tested that way. She has since graduated and is doing great in her field.
Gary
I would like to have some input on this topic I have tutored these students on and after school as well as on my time out of the facility on the home phone. I have tried a varity of tools to help with the learning process I have used flash cards, I have tried to word associate as well as trying to assist in the learning process I would like to hear some clues to the needed resources for helping a student learn. Thank you Mona Graves
