I like to partner my weaker students with a stronger student so that they can help them along in class.
By placing students in age/culturaly diverse groups students can start to see the connections between themselves and other students. If allowed to continue to work in these groups students will begin to feel a connection and form this support group within their class group.
Leticia,
This is the value of creating small learning groups. The students get to know each other and work toward a common goal. This gets everyone contributing. Good strategy to follow.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Its helpful to mix the students in these groups. Talkers with non-talkers and also older students with newer students. They will get a different point of view in a group that is well mixed.
Michael,
Support systems are very important to and for students. These systems both in and out of school help to keep students in school and moving toward to their career goals. Students with support systems are much more likely to complete their programs than those have to go it alone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to vary their experiences within the classroom and for support. Anopther method that can be added is mentoring. If there is a new student whether young or older, after identifying the issues that they have pairing them up with another student, usually someone that is already in course ie. Senior to freshman, by pairing them up it adds on extra support that can be provided to the student and give them another avenue in which they can get assistance or validation.
Donna,
Support systems are so important in the total education process. The quicker students can identify their support system the quicker they will be able to settle into the course and focus on learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Personal support systems can be maintained by having an instructor who responds to queries, threads of various topics that will engage a learner, and a motivational factor - such as fulfilling a role within a group, where there is support and collaboration for ideas.
Michael,
I think sessions like this are very informative for students. They get to share their knowledge while learning from others. In addition everyone can participate in the process and that helps each student to grow in their confidence.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Open forum discussions, using a white board with one student recording key points from the group can be a good technique to help each of them in creating personnel support systems. The instructor can ask the students to tell about some personal experiences that they have had with strong personnel support systems and discus it as a group. This technique allows the students to be able to draw from all of the experience in the classroom.
Wendy,
This is a great way to get to know your students better and understand what they are facing outside of the classroom. The students need to understand how they can use their support system if they have one or how to create one if they don't have one available.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Create or suggest study groups within the class. Having a discussion during class time to talk about support or lack of support the students in the class have. Some will have a lot of support from family and friends, while others will not have as much. (It is nice to know you aren't alone in some situations.) Let the students know they are there to help and support each other, as well as you are there to support them also.
David,
I use learning groups in my classes a lot. Your comments about the value of working in a group setting are right on. Students need to learn how to work with others as well as be able to share their perceptions and opinions. Small groups help them to do this in a supportive way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to get the students to know one another better by using group activities. The enlightened students usually can help break through to the students that are not quite grasping the concepts. Having the students work in groups that have some enlightened ones and some that are not so bright helps all the students. The smarter ones gain confidence and the others gain the knowledge of the learning concepts. If a non aggressive student creates support from an aggressive learner everybody including the instructor benefits.
Jimin,
Listening to students is one of the most powerful engagement tools you have as a learning leader. Through listening you are letting the students know you care about them and value their opinions. This is the foundation upon which respect is developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Always listen and not only provide the help from instructor but also assign a partner or groups so that students can help each other. Sometimes, students understand better and show teamworks between students.
Mariah,
This is a great idea for helping students to see the growth they have experienced and didn't even realize it. Fun way to share individual progress with each student at the end of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have students introduce themselves on the first day of class and tell a bit about their background and interests. This helps me, and also helps students to identify others who share similar interests &/or backgrounds. These students then often end up sitting together or working together on group projects.
I always start each class off by giving them an index card and ask them to wirte thier name...birthday...and an intresting fact about them. on the other side i ask them what is your goal for this class. i keep them till they are finished with that term and give them back! its amazing to see the results!
Douglas,
I use this mix as well with my student learning groups and have had great results. Thank you for sharing this suggestion.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
