Thomas,
Good way to get to know the students plus know how to customize your instruction based upon the responses you get. For many students that question is a hard one because they really don't know. They just enrolled without a clear career path set out.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is actually the first question I ask on day one of a new class. By knowing the reasoning behind "why they are here" I am able to narrow down the multitude of topics within the given class to the ones that seem most appropriate when compared to their reasoning for being here. The content of the class does not change. However, the life experience stories and/or advice I may give is determined by their answers.
The student may be developing a growing passion or may not know all the possibilities that might be before them so knowing their goals helps to open them up and find the thread that is going to motivate them to succeed over the long term and short term.
It is important to know that a field of study you have been engaged in for many years, may be the first introduction to your students so you cannot be out too far ahead of them so to speak.
Katherine,
The more we know about our students the more accurately we can customize our instruction and provide them with support. This is what being a dedicated professional is about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sometimes it can be as simple as knowing which program they are from. I get students seeking different degrees in the same classroom. One group should focus on one aspect of the material and the second group should focus more on the another area of the materail. If I know which group they belong to, I can choose group partners with same goals.
Shamika,
Right you are about why it is important to know why your students are enrolled in the program. This helps you to focus your support and customize your interaction with each student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Knowing why students have enrolled in the program you are teaching will greatly help with your instruction. You will know if it is a career move or just lack of knowledge in the selected subject. It will also help to motivate you as a professor to provide the best instruction possible to make sure the student prevails.
Jennifer,
This is a great personal touch. The human factor in teaching is tied to student success. By learning about them as individuals and recalling names of their children shows that you listen and value your rapport with your students. I know your students appreciate your effort in this area.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Denise,
This way you are hitting on all of the learning needs of your students. Having knowledge about their enrollment lets you customize your approach to the betterment of everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In media production this is extremely important since some students may have an emphasis or interest in audio or video or music. Knowing this allows me to be more strategic about getting them interested in these other areas which are necessary to their career development however may appear to be uninteresting to the beginning student.
One of the first things I do is to ask my students “Why are you here†often it is to give their children a better life. Knowing the reason they have decided to come to school gives me a tool to encourage them. I ask the children’s names and often mention them by name when telling the students how well they are doing and how proud their child (by name) would be of them.
Knowing why students have enrolled in the program allows me to accomodate my instruction to the range of their skill levels. The beginners need to feel secure that they can succeed, and the skilled need to feel that they will be challenged, and that their money will not be wasted.
Jenny,
You are a model for your students as a result of having been a student in your college plus the successes you have had in your career. The students can see that you understand where they are coming from because you sat in the same seat they are occupying now.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Claudette,
This is a very good point. The more we know about students and their reasons for being in our classes the more accurately we can customize our instruction to meet their needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Most of my students are enrolling in our program because they want a better life for themselves. This is a career college and they are looking for a career. I am an alumni of this college so I am well aware of what it is like to be in my student's position. I have sat in those actual chairs myself! I am a product of what great outcomes can happen when you are succesful at this campus.
Knowing why students enrolled in your program will help you plan your instruction according to what make the student and you as the instructor comfortable. A student may have enrolled becuase they had a family member, friend, neighbor, or even a co worker attend your school. Students especially adult learnes love to talk adn share ideas and their experiences. Therefore, if a student had expereinces a good time at your school or in your class they will share with others. The people whom they share with will come to your class with that same expectation. Understanding the "why" students enroll will help you understand the "what" you do or should continue to do to have that effect.
Travis,
Good point. This is valuable information to have as it helps you to customize your approach depending on the information you find out about your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding whether they are required to attend or are attending based on personal reasons can set the expectations of the instructor for what level of participation they can expect. It will also help develop your lessons and method of instruction.
Katessa,
This is a great way to start a class off because of all the information you get from your students. In addition, you can plan your instructional delivery around the reasons the students are enrolled in the class. Thanks for sharing this approach with us. I know these comments will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
