Hi Mark, I would tend to agree. It is very important to key in on the "why" a student is registered for school. What are their long term and short term goals, and why. I believe this gives the instructor some key information in regards to addressing the class and individual students.
I believe that students enrolling lets you know they are pursuing school for a reason. Now what that reason is may vary. I believe this helps us look at the motivation behind furthering our education. Once an instructor knows that, I think they are better equipped to plan instruction. For instance if I get a sense that my student in just there because "my parents are making me." As opposed to one that is clearly self motivated, I'll approach my instruction much differently given the scenarios presented.
Matthew,
I like to have this information as well for the reason you state. It gives me a connecting point with the students when I know their reason and how they see themselves applying the content in their careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It lets me know that they are interested in the material of the course.
Cara,
So true and so important. Having this information gives you a starting point with the students so you can customize your approach and provide support that will keep them engaged in the course and moving toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It makes teaching more rewarding for the instructor and more fruitful for the student when you know how and when to help students in achieving their goals. It is wonderful to be able to set them up for success by using steps that can start with this simple question. Why did you enroll in the program and what do you hope to accomplish? When you find out what's motivating the student to make a commitment in their education it can help them to clarify. The deeper the focus on their needs and wants become, they will be more likely to succeed. Especially when they have the support of a mentor encouraging and understanding their vision. Great topic!
Cammie,
Thank you for these wonderful comments about the "WHY" of being a learning leader and instructional supporter of your students. This is the human factor and it is essential for both learning and student success. Keep up the good work as you impact the lives of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with knowing why a student has enrolled in your school program. Knowing their "WHY" for enrolling. Asking what is your focus for getting this degree. Remind them what their focus is. Talk to them get to know them on a personal level.I don't mean be their best friend but, show you care and want to make sure they will succeed! I teach Math so everyone has to have my classes. I feel as instructors we have to go above and beyond just knowing the reasons for enrolling. For example:I have had some students enroll because their parents told them to and then you have students who have enroll who are older and they want a better life than what they have now. If a student misses class ask "Why" see if there is anything you can suggest to help them make it to class. Take interest in what is going on in their lives. When students know you have over 100 other students but you take the time to say, "So is your child feeling better?" Or that you missed them when they were gone is everything OK. It makes them feel like you really care. (Which I do) but students will talk to you and that sometimes keeps students enrolled. They are not just a number they are a person. So it is more that knowing the reason they enrolled... Its know what their silver lining is and how you can help them succeed.
Karlee,
Very true and this is why it is so important to know as much as you can about your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding a students career goals can set individual motivation within a group.
Jennifer,
Good point because this helps the instructor to be able to customize the instructional content for that set of students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It would be extremely helpful to direct students to the information not only required for the course, but what types of examples or analogies to use when trying to relate the material to the students.
Karina,
This is an important bit of information to have. Knowing why they have chosen the program they are in will give you insight from which you can select the type of support that you can provide to keep the moving forward in the course and their program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
First of all, I need to find to from them why they choose a specific program and their goals.
Make sure that their commitment to their education is as important as we are.
Timothy,
By learning this information from your students you are able to more accurately target your instructional delivery to meet the needs of your students. Also, you can help those students that are on the fence in terms of staying in the field to learn more about the field and make it their life's work ore move to another field where they are better suited.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robert,
I do to because I think this information helps me to more accurately provide support to my students. You comments reflect how we need to approach our students after we find this information about our students and I know this information will be helpful to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At the beginning of a term ,I will ask students why they chose the discipline that they are pursuing. Some of the answers may be , I want to make more money.I want to feel the excitement of seeing the blood and guts in surgery.I often respond by telling them that the patient is the most important aspect of any discipline . Sometimes it is very evident that this isn't always the main reason for the student picking their chaosen field.
I like to know why my students came to school. Why they enrolled. This will help me to know their motivations and goals. Then I can work to connect the material to their goals so that it will be more relevant and help them remail motivated to learn.
LaNeisha,
Passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching about it has a big role to play in getting your students engaged and focused on their success in the course. Keep up the good work!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I personally dont believe that knowing the reasons my students enrolled is important. I believe that its important once they are in the class to show them the value of the education they are getting and give examples of how through this education they can change their lives and possiblily there current situation all things being considered. I hope that the passion that I have for dentistry spark something in them, and even if they decide at the end of the program that this is not for them the feeling of accomplishment will also be something that I hope my students are striving for finishing somehing they started.
