Hi Kimberly, The employers who hire our graduates emphasize that they need employees with these general education skills. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
With almost every career field communication is a critical link to success. As a veterinary technician instructor it is imperative to recognize and develop these skills if the students are demonstrating incompetency. In addition, students must be competent in basic math skills to be proficient in calculation of doses of medications and many other calculations necessary to be successful in their career.
To get a base knowledge of where students are at education level in order to work to progress all students to the next level
I have found that using pre and post tests have been helpful to the student and me for various objectives. First of all, the student can have immediate feedback from the instructor after a pre test that is based on a rubric. Then during and at the end of the coursework/program the student can continue with being assessed using the same rubric. The student knows the criteria all along the way. Any thoughts on this from others?
obviously, each of these is important. It is particularly important to be able to assess these for specialties. For example, in healthcare, skills like math are often very important to be able to carry out accurately.
I always review and recap the course material
By having the students take turns reading a para graph each, out of the textbook we are using, I have identified students who are poor readers and even students with dyslexia. These difficulties require some creative thinking on the part of the instructor in regard to assessment as well as self study suggestions. For dyslexia, I put alot of emphasis on key words and phrases and those with reading difficulties can work with a study buddy,for example.
Hi Jeff, Yes, the sooner we can identify basic skills deficiencies, the better. Realistically, we cannot make up for much of these probelms, but at least being aware of them helps us to instruct more effectively. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
To assess each students ability to navigate in their education experience. Students with weaker basic skills will stumble through the process. Identifying these issues early and fixing them will ensure the student is prepared for a life time of positive learning.
Hi Craig, Thanks for your post to the forum. Do you find that you get much diversity in writing skills? If so, how do you handle that? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Hi Susan,
Yes, I developed it myself after I saw the spotty math backgrounds of the students in my first class.
As an English instructor I use quick writing assignments early on in the mod to determine the level of sophistication in my room. I am then better able to tailor the work most effectively for my students.
Hi Donna, thanks for your post to the forum. As you mention, we often have students with diverse general education skills. It is a challenge to teach to everyone. But, if we know that some students will need extra assistance we can hopefully arrange for that. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The general education level of students tells the instructor what level they should direct the material to. Information can be simplified for lower level learners initially and then built upon. If the classroom is full of high level learners you should dig deeper into more complex marterial. Most classrooms are a combination of both. In that case it is important for an instructor to know who will need more assistance and who will get bored if not challenged.
Hi Robert, Thanks for your post to the forum. Did you develop your "Mental Toolbox Inspection" yourself or is this something developed elsewhere? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Knowing the basic skills that are already possessed by each student is a must, in order to progress to the mastery of my course material. My students come from various educational backgrounds, so I give them a "Mental Toolbox Inspection" quiz at the beginning of the first class period. No score is recorded, but I learn what I must review with them. Some do not remember the formulae for athe circumference of a circle, or for its area. Sines and cosines often are compelte mysteries to them, also. After we clear up these items, we are prepared to learn Physics.
Hi Tracy - Thanks for your post to the forum. That you are collaborating with your English Instructors is awesome! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
As an instructor of paralegal students, writing, oral communication and critical thinking are the foundation for the students in my program. It's all they will do in their chosen field.
I make sure that I have a good relationship with the English instructors on campus. We work together with the students in my program to ensure that they are working on those skills.
I often use ungraded diagnostics as a tool to assess where my students are at the beginning of the term. That way, if there are issues, I can set up tutoring with the student.
It helps us know where we stand with our students. If a student is behind or a little lost it helps us to better help that student. We cant read minds, so knowing in advance would benefit everyone!
I would not want to let the student continue to not have the knowledge/power base necessary to assure job in their intended field. It is absolutely necessary to be confident in ones own abilities. I want students to feel empowered and capable to handle anything that their job throws at them. If they are not able to read and write to the level that is necessary, they will fall back and probably rpeat past mistakes. It is also necessary; in order to keep current, in any field, and as for the math; that is necessary on a daily basis also. If one goes into the medical field, they have to be able to read and valuare a prescription, etc...or their own paycheck for that matter.
