understanding student
with some students it not that you understand them it's if they fear that you are to much of a authoritarian and they can not or will not let someone else tell them what to do or even direct them to do better. I have had some students fear that they would show weakness if they did so because of thier back ground,it would not be acceptable.
I agree and set up lectures &demos,let students hands on partisapate also incourage them with positive imformation and answer any questions.
Hi Leonard,
I like your style. We all can only hope that we have or will have that "Mozart" in our class. The key is that you are looking to bring out the best in each student to see if that Mozart is contained within. By using the students as contributors and resources you are demonstrating your confidence in them and their future. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I have a class with real age and experience diversity. In my class there are students right out of high school and people that have been in industry for years, "looking for that piece of paper to get them to next level."
When I have a student that feels that they are expert in a certain area I will ask them to do the demo. If they do well, they get the validation they seek. If they fall short I have a teaching moment. I step in explaining what choices the student made in the demo, what other options there are, open it up for discussion. A side effect of this is that those students not ready to 'walk their talk' are a little more reticent about espousing their own virtues.
I think it is important to validate student excellence. It is amazing when a student feels that you recognize their abilities all of sudden your opinion becomes more valid in their minds and they will be more open to your feedback about their work along with other peoples.
Every teacher hopes to have a student that outshines them, I think of Haydn a well respected classical composer and musician but not nearly as famous as his students; Mozart and Beethoven. I don't know if I have had my Mozart in class yet, but who knows.
Hi Jessie,
Good point. It is critical to find the balance between the two age groups you have in your course so each can benefit from the challenges and requirements that is ask of them.
Gary
In order to understand your students your need to have some information about them. For example age, culture, etc. The younger students want a challenge but are afraid to accept it. The older students are willing to accept the challenge but, some, easily give up if they feel they will fail. If you can take all into account you can pose your project, assignment or challenge in a way that does not seem intimidating.
Hi Tony,
Great statement. Respect and rapport goes a long way in developing a relationship with a student. You are an instructor that works at developing both with your students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I am older than any of my students, but there is one thing I have learned. Treat all the students as adults and you will be amazed how they will relate and look to you for advice.
I found this to be true. I tell the students up front that I am a straight shooter. I will not blow smoke when I do not know certain info. I will find out the info for them, one way or another.
Hi Alan,
Mistakes are a part of being human and students realize this. By admitting the mistake and as you mentioned finding the answer and then moving on will enable you to maintain control of the class.
Gary
The one thing that I find is that if you do make a mistake, and just admit it and get the right answer, the students then realize that you are human and will do even more and generally try even harder.
Understanding student needs will help instructors better understand them and their needs, helping them, guide them in the right path, have a better comprehension of where they are at, and to instrucr them better.
I TOTALLY AGREE CHARLES, IT IS UNAVOIDABLE TO HAVE THESE TYPES OF STUDENTS IN OUR CLASSES AND I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTLY IMPORTANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT AS INSTRUCTORS WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM BECOME SUCCESSFUL BY PROVIDING GUIDANCE, LISTENING, AND ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS.
Hi Nick,
It is great to see that through your experience you know how to zero in on the needs of your students, meet them and then move your learners onto other areas of your course. This is what will retain the students and increase their satisfaction with their career development.
Gary
Hi Don,
Thank you for your excellent remarks in this forum about getting students ready for a career that lack in the basic understanding of what makes a person successful. I spent many years early in my career working in an inter-city school focusing on helping students become successful that had no reason to be successful. It was to say the least very challenging but so rewarding when we would have one of ours make it to the work world and could come back to school as a model for others.
I understand completely what you are saying about each point. I just hope your students can grasp the importance of what you are trying to teach them in the areas of social, emotional and personal development. If these areas can be developed then the tactile skills will come and a successful graduate will be created. I wish you and your fellow professional the best in your efforts.
Gary
I absolutely agree with David's points as well! As a perpetual student, everything really focuses on the student's background and current circumstances. I have found that some of my most motivated students can stop dead in their tracks when one of their basic Maslow needs aren't met. If they can get that situation dealt with then, i find that with some encouragement and goal setting that they can get back on board.
Dr.Meers, Charles is a coworker of mine and we both face the same challenges.Our students are primarily of ethnic background and many of whom are in a lower finacial class than most. Many of them have never had a proper male figure in their lives to guide them. We do many things at our school to help educate them on many levels. We try to incorporate lectures and activities that will not only educate them technically, but we also try to prepare our students to enter the job market understanding their social and professional responsibilities. Our students must be on time, clean, groomed and in proper uniform each day. They receive a grade in class work, in lab work and in professionalism. They can fail the course in any one of these areas. They take many technical classes, but they also are required to take classes that teach them professionalism and soft skills. Being an educator, you must wear multiple hats of also being a mentor, teacher, father figure, disciplinarian, judge, counseler and the list goes on. Everyday is a different challenge, but everyday is also very rewarding, for the student and the educator.
You hit the nail on the head Charles.
Were here to help them along and they need to learn from their failures. If they make a mistake in school you learn from it. If they also understand that you the instructor may not know it all and are honest about it. They will respect you even more.
Hi Brian,
There are a couple of ways to handle this situation. One, is that you ask students to hold all of their questions until you have completed the lecture or demonstration. At the end you can then ask if there are any questions and this student can raise his questions and make his points. Students like this generally are trying to show the other students how smart they are or that they have more experience than other students. The cause really doesn't matter they still disrupt the class. Another is to let the student you are more than happy to answer any questions but they must be written down and given to you before class. This I know sounds awkward and it is but that is the point of it. I have found that students like this one that have to write down their questions will stop the challenging questions because they don't want to write them down.
If the student continues to ask questions after you have set the ground rules then you can ask the individual to be quiet until the Q&A session because it is then a behavior management issue.
I am assuming that you have talked privately with the student about this already if not start there and then follow the above recommendations and you should be able to get the class back on track.
Gary
Hi Dr. Meers,
I currently have a student that likes to challenge points during lecture and also during lab, not just questioning statements I make but also statements from the text. How can I disarm this student but at the same time still maintain a good rapport? I just feel the tone of the questioning is having a negative impact on the learning process and I want to make sure the student gets the most benefit from the instruction.
