Frustration
As I completed the first section of ED102, I found myself thinking back to my college days. I remember the issues that I faced and the frustration that were created. I never considered leaving school because of these frustrations. I knew that they were a continued part of school and that I need to put up with the frustration. The feeling I get now is that there are many students that this can influence and it does determine their future educational growth.
We need to be aware and try to understand the issues facing our students.
Hi Michael,
Good way to make life real for the students. They think they have seen it all until you share your story. This helps them to see that they have much to learn about the field and how to be successful within it.
Gary
One of the things that I do when this happens (usually about their FA), I will relate to them a nightmare FA story of my own. It is a doosey which usually dwarfs theirs and it is quick. By using my experiences as an example, I try to let them know that this stuff happens and that it is something that as students they will have to deal with from time to time no matter how prepared they may have been. It seems to diffuse and redirect their anger and gets us back on track in a pretty short amount of time and prevents a spillover.
Hi Maan,
It is important that students have a vision of their future while in school. They can become so involved in the coursework that they forget that they are creating a future for themselves. It is up to us to remind them of what they are in school for and where their education can take them.
Gary
Sometimes we might have a student who is a little bit frustrated asking about the future, asking if she/he will ever have a job after they finish the program well my opinion is to always enthuse them and to find a motive that will keep them going ( so that they will never get to the frustration point)
Hi Kristi,
You can set up a time when students get to express themselves but it is time limited. This way they can vent a bit and the class moves forward. By having this dedicated time they know the time limits and stop the complaining or venting when the time is up. We don't do this everyday but only when I see that they are in need of letting off some steam about something. I remind them that I let them vent so they need to respect me in terms of letting the class go forward so I can meet my obligations as the instructor.
Gary
My concern is when students verbally express their frustrations in class and it escalates and seems to spill over into the rest of the class, despite my attempts to provide support and encouragemnt.
Kristi Meyer
one of my main problems, is the response, blown out of proportion, by some students that feel frustrated with the whole group.
Normally, this frustration comes from older and more mature individiuals, that see younger students as a barrier for their learning.
Hi Debra,
You make a very good point. In spite of all your best efforts and intentions it just doesn't happen. I am always sad when this happens because I want to get them all. The reality is I don't so I concentrate on the successes I have had and that boosts my spirits to go back and start another of group of students through the educational process.
Gary
Hi Andy,
This is a good point. Some students seem to be looking for a reason to leave school rather than try and climb over the barriers they are facing. Those of us already in the field faced those same issues but as you say the thought of quitting was not there, what was there was the drive to be successful and complete the training program. This is what our students of today need to see in their forward focused thinking process. The challenge is getting that message through to them.
Gary
What I find difficult is the ability to know what motivates the student? We all have our reasons and when a student is unresponsive and you cannot engage in conversation to see why they choice to go back to school, it can be very challenging as an instructor and no matter what you do in your retention efforts, sometimes, you just cannot connect with them.
