I work in a field where you have a choice of enrolling in live classroom education or taking an online course and all graduates are on the same level when done no matter which avenue they choose. My challenge as an instructor is that the reason why my students enroll is to get in classroom instruction and hands on experience. However, this option is 5x more extensive than the online route. And since professionals in this field make the same starting pay, regardless of education, I usually lose students about halfway through the program. Their initial reason for enrolling gets trumped by the fact that they can save money and get a job now instead of in six months.
The students who stay always say they are glad they invested the money and that they are better off, but I need the other students to stay so they too can reap the benefits.
(and no, I can't do anything about the tuition of course)
Thoughts? Help!
Hossai,
This is good information to have just as you have said because it gives you an idea on how to approach a student. I know when I have a student that has been forced to enroll in my course I try to help him or her to understand the value of the content being shared. Sometimes I can get them excited about the area and I feel good at having helped them with their career growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's very helpful to me. I want to know why a student is enrolled. Is it because they are excited for the career path they have selected or is it because they have a parent or a government program who is "making them do it". I feel the students who are in a program under their own free will do better.
Donald,
It has never been a problem for me or my students because they share their reasons in generic ways, such as "I always wanted to work in law enforcement." I have found that my students like to be asked this question because it lets them verbalize why they are enrolled and where they want to take their career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Is there a concern about invading a student's privacy when dealing with their reasons for enrolling?
Carla,
Thank you for sharing this example of how negative feelings can quickly spread throughout a class. By providing a professional image and giving support to the students as needed they will see that they have a professional educator that cares about them and their success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lecture topics can be personalized so to speak to make the lecture more personable to the student. This would allow them to feel as if they are personally involved; creating a memorable and strengthened learning experience.
Great idea about groups students together during exercises according to their degree/emphasis.
I think this is a nice reminder about the "word of mouth" principle. When one person has a bad experience in business it can get around to over 20 different people. The same is true for positive experiences - the more students feel they have had a positive experience at school then the more they encourage their friends to go through the program. The result - a successful school and successful, happy students!
Nicole,
This is important because it helps you to be able to customize your instruction to meet your current students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To better plan instruction based on each students needs in their chosen program.
I think knowing backgrounds and the students motivation for being in the class helps. It also helps when problems arise. Communication with your students gain trust, they tend to do better when they have confidence.
Claudette,
I also agree with your point. I will use some of their reasons to give examples of situations that they encounter in the field. this also helps me guide classroom discussions.
Katelyn,
These adult learners are in desperate situations due to the fact that they have to start their careers over. They have been out of school for a number of years so they have forgotten many of their study and not taking skills. They need early success in the course and supports like guided notes to show them that they can be successful in the course as well as the college. You are making a major difference in their lives as you are giving them another chance to provide for their families and create a future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It seems that a lot of the time adult students are getting a college education because they can't get a decent job without one. They work in the steel mills around here and when they shut down there wasn't a choice, they had to go back to school. So to be able to relate with them and talk to them about the challenges that they are facing is important. Getting them into the right career is really important too, this is their one chance to start over.
Thomas,
I am getting a lot of these students as well. It takes some special effort to help them see that they can be successful in class after being out so long. I provide them with the tips on how to study and note taking so they will have the confidence to stay in school and complete their program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found over the years that my students are getting older due to the traditional work place changing at a very fast pace. The traditional jobs are going away and the technical positions are taking their place. Most of my older students have been in a blue collar position 20 to 25 years and all of a sudden the plant closes and goes overseas to save a buck leaving the folks who made the company with? These guys must retrain and start all over.
Norma,
What are some strategies you use to provide support to your students? Thanks for sharing with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding and supporting the students in enrollment will make the student motivation to attend school on daily basis.
Stacy,
Good way to open up a new class and get everybody settled in. You are learning so much about your students with this approach. I am a big fan of guest speakers as well. They really motivate the students with their stories and examples.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
