difference of ages
I am a program chair here on our campus, and have the challenge of finding each particular student not only for their training requirements, but what externship sites will be the right "fit". I consider their technical skills, people skills, and do they have specific hours they can work their externship hours. It is easier to place the younger generation because of the flexibity of their scheudles, but I do have to deal more with "soft skills" being an issue. The attitude and eagerness to learn is better in my middle-aged students. They really "want" to be there learning and seem to take it more seriously when they are off campus.
Hi Erie,
What a challenge you have. This is what makes teaching so interesting. When you have a dedicated career mature learner along side of a new high school graduate that has to be told to behave you have got untold opportunities to try out classroom management techniques. Sounds like you have a solid approach to how you are running your program based upon the needs of your students.
Gary
I am the director of clinical education for a Respiratory Therapy Program. We have students from all walks of life. They come in every description that one can imagine. The students vary in age. Sometimes some of my clinical facilities are concerned beacuse some of my students are right out of high school and do not have many "life experiences". We generally have to tell them how they should behave. We have to educate the student in "how to take care of your grandoparents".We have to explain that the languare used when taking care of these patients must be different from the language that they use when with their friends.
Hi Stacy,
This is what makes teaching interesting when you have the mix of students that you describe. Trying to find a learning balance for each group is a challenge. I have found that by creating learning groups I get the students helping each other and all of them expand their knowledge base as well as problem solving skills as a result of the sharing.
Gary
I see a difference in my externs as well. I find that our youngest students are willing to do anything but sometime incapable. They are less likely to know that they are incapable. The oder students are much more capable with life skills and experience. They are much less willing to take on an opportutniy due to conflicts in schedules pay rates ect. The middle aged students take the best of both worlds.
As a librarian, I find older students who work to be more motivated in performing research in the library, or at home via the virtual library. Younger, students usually require more direction on how to organize a search, why they are looking for resources and what they should do with citations for research papers. I think that when they find out the steps they are often very excited that they have new skills. That said, I also find older students who have trouble with research and the "new" library systems that have been developed since they were in school. They also enjoy learning how to open the gate of knowledge that the library holds for them.
I frequently practice softskills in class by allowing adult learners coming back to the education field to speak freely about thier professional experiences.
AMEN!!!
I understand completely!
Soft skills can be approached in the classroom on an ongoing basis and still be a concern (even with life experience).
Hi Holly,
Thank you for sharing your perspective on how different age groups respond to course requirements. These have been my experiences as well so I try to plan carefully to help each group reaching the competencies for my course in ways that target them more closely.
Gary
