One of the first things that I tell all of my students when they start classes is that this group of people that they are in school with are not just their classmates but will be future coworkers. Networking starts here. Some of my past students have really taken this to heart and have kept in contact with their "teammates" and I have been pleasantly surprised that some of them have helped one another to get employment in an office within their field of study. This same group of students on their own, started a facebook page to share notes, keep each other up to date on projects in school,notify each other when they had issues at home. This was such a great way for them to stay focused and feel apart of their team. Even though I did not come up with the idea to start the facebook page, I still refer to this group when I talk to my new students and encourage them to do something similar. It's so much easier to stay committed to school when you feel apart of a group.
I am a CMA, and a CPT, both are linked together in the Allied Healthcare Field. We are allies in one common goal, providing he best Patient Care. Before I begin my Quarter, I find out what Programs are in my class. Surgical Techs, COAs Clinical Office Assistants, Medical coders, and lastly but not least, MAs Medical Assistants. I ask them to acknowledge the diversity of programs in the Medical field yet, we are linked together in the ALLIED Health. We are all Allies working together to provide the optimal care of our patients. Taking it a step further, pointing out the cultural diversity in my class, that this reflects the diversity when we are employed. Taking another step further, the diversity in our age differences; common diversity found in our professions. During my Quarter, I encourage each one of them to help their colleagues with any questions, giving assitance in directions they do not understand, because this is the type of comradery that is neccesary to work as team members.
LeWando,
I think this is a great activity for your students to be involved with. These are going to be resources and connections they can use throughout their careers so the earlier in their career they get "connected" the better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I advocate social media, networking with influencers and thought leaders in their field/field of interest. LinkedIn is a standard project.
Shane,
Many of our adult students have real challenges to overcome outside of the classroom. So by providing a support system or referring them to where they can find support you are doing a valuable service in addition to hopefully keeping them in school.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I can help students identify and create personal support systems by first talking to the students. Give them ideas oh were to to turn for support. Let the stusent know that as an instructor, you are part of that personal support system.
Barbara,
This is a great example of how learning can occur with the right kind of support. These learning teams are bonding together to work toward a common goal. You are doing a great job of showing them how they need to cooperate with others once they are in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my area of teaching it is very easy to team students up to work together to complete assignments. Most assignments have to be completed in teams so they tend to become friends and depend on each other right away. I then find that these friendships tend to grow into more just from the closeness of school. After a while people ask how long they have known each other and they are amazed when they hear just since school started.
Sarah,
You are bringing the human factor into the classroom for our students. They often need that listening ear and support to keep them coming to class and staying in their program. Your support is making an impact on their future. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As mentioned in ED102, students will need internal and external support systems. When students are going through life crises, it is visible when they come to class or do not show up at all. I always ask if they have anyone to talk to and encourage them to talk to their family or friends. Externally, I encourage the students in class for example when achievements are made and when failure occur. Or encourage developing friendships with their classmates for even more support.
Holli,
Good way to provide support to your students. The better you know them the easier it will be to target their needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Know your students, particularly if they are struggling. Help students assess personal support systems and seek to strengthen them. Teaching students to self-assess and showing them how to fill in gaps is essential to individual growth, and it helps them feel empowered.
It is important to have the students working together throughout the course. Each student has something to offer, making sure each student realizes this fact is important.
Dawn,
I like this approach. You are increasing the value of the course through this time of interaction. They get to make application of what they are being taught as well as get to know their classmates better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Team building makes a lot of sense in that they quickly ascertain the benefits of a support system. I share with them my personale xperiences awhen I was a student. This helps me be more relatable. In my self analysis, it is my hope that they can identify in their own lives which individials in their circles are beneficial support systems.
While discussing cover letters in my Professional Development class, I have the students form small groups (diverse in age and confidence levels) and ask them to share with each other what positive qualities they have observed, things they each see about each other that would make them a valuable employee. This provides positive re-enforcement from each other and can be a real confidence booster. It often times changes the entire atmosphere in the classroom.
Dr. Kipp,
Thank you for these comments about the value of using group interaction and problem solving as a learning tool. The more skills students have in this area the more prepared they are going to be to work with others out in the workplace. We know that a lot of career success is based upon being able to get along with others in a cooperative way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A small group approach holds students accountable for both individual and group achievement. Group learning is a method to involve students actively in thoughtful argument, discussion, and debate with other learners. It focuses on tasks to be accomplished by requiring group cooperation and interaction, mandates individual responsibility to learn, and supports division of labor. Group learning enhances enthusiasm for learning and determination to achieve academic success. I have found improvement of comprehension or basic academic content, reinforcement of social skills, student decision-making, creation of an active learning environment, increased student self-esteem, observance of diverse learning styles, promotion of student responsibility and a focus on success.
David,
This is a great way to provide support to your students. The way it is set up it is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to put students who are struggling with others who seem to have an understanding of the lab or material. Then I keep an eye on both students to see how they do together.This way they are not intimidated by me as there instructor but I always reinforce the info they are getting from the other student.
