Students of all ages
I always have a hard time combining adult and young students the first month. Especially when I give them group assignments. I will appreciate any suggestion.
Michael,
Creating harmony and cohesiveness in a classroom with varying ages and cultural backgrounds is a challenge at first. But, as time passes by, the group tends to move towards a concentric force bringing all of them together for the same goal that they all share.
As instructors, we have to learn the multiple intelligences, especially the variances that these intelligences have with respect to age disparities.
Joe
Hi Jerome,
Great to hear about the success you are having your diverse group of students. It sounds like you are using the experiences from all age groups to support the learning in your classes.
Gary
Students in my classes vary in age from 17 early 30's with an ocasional 40 - 50 year old. So far most of the 17-19 year old group have shown remarkable maturity. They have made a commitment to learning a trade and inrolled in a school far away from home and family, completely on their own. All age groups will challenge the rules at some point during the course. Holding them all accountable to the same standard from the outset generally negates the age difference. Older students set an example and both groups seem to blend together in mutual support.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sharing these. I know they are going to be helpful.
Gary
Hello Gary,
Some of the ice breakers that I have gotten good results with are "Have you ever", students discover the different past experiences of each other."I've done something you don't know" students mention something they've done that not everyone knows about them. "Find someone who..." students use a checklist and find someone that has that certain characteristic. These ice breakers have been very helpful to me.
Hi Susan,
What are some ice breakers you have used that have gotten good results with your students?
Gary
I also use Ice Breakers in class on the first day and I have had wonderful results with it. It is something that I strongly recommend. The students enjoy it so much and I could see them come togehter right away.
Sometimes it is hard to group adult and young students together. I tend to allow the to group themselves early on. If there is any issues when their chosen groups then I change it up on my own.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for sharing this example of how diverse aged students can work together even though their recall efforts may be greatly different. (Looking at the ceiling).
Gary
When I split my class into groups I like to mix the ages up, last class I did this in I had one of my older students answering alot of the questions and one of the younger ones commented on everytime she answered she was looking at the ceiling and wanted to know how she knew so much and if the answers were on the ceiling above her seat. My older student informed the younger one that instead of looking at the book she could look away and focus on her life experiences that helped her answer.
I know this might not be the most political correct thing to do, but I will at first pair the younger studest together and the older students together, and asses their work before bring the ages differeces togther.
I believe Ice breakers always assist with getting the students on the same page. The students build trust and understanding of their peers by working with them and getting to know them. They discuss other things they may have in common and in most cases the older students may have something in common with the younger student. They may be currently where the younger student wants to be and can share in their success!
Hi Eric,
Good idea. How do you go about separating them? How do they react to you organizing them into different learner groups?
Thanks.
Gary
The module discussed how younger students have a common fear of social failure I have learned to seperate the rebels with those who have low self confidence.
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with diverse learning groups. Life experiences and a high level of motivation keeps the career mature students engaged in the learning process. The younger students are coming directly or almost so from the secondary setting where they have been using their study skills very recently. This is why it is important to create opportunities for the two groups to work together and identify common grounds for learning. If you can facilitate the development of respect between and among them both groups are going to have a higher level of satisfaction with their learning environment.
Gary
I to have had problems with this. I explain to my students that you will be working with people from a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds. I have had to adjust my presentation and explanation style to fit a balance that both can handle. The adult learner needs things explained a bit slower with more visual aid. The youngers students seem to pick things up at a very rapid pace. However the younger students seem to get off of track more often. I have found that I need to police these students at a much higher rate than the adult learners.
Hi Daniel,
You group assignment challenges may come from how you create your groups. Mix the students so there is an equal or almost equal balance between the different age group students. This allows everyone in the group to contribute based upon their life experiences, knowledge of technology, or skill at problem solving. This is where respect is developed for each other.
I will be glad to talk with you about other suggestions if you will share some additional information about how the dynamics of the groups break down when they are given assignments.
Thanks.
Gary
