I believe that has to be addressed on the first day of class. I ask my students if they have a back-up plan for any and every situation that would prevent them from coming to school. They should have their very on personal support system already in place. Many of them dont have that system in place, so I gives them alot to think about on the first day. I encourage them to think about the one or two people who they dont want to disappoint and who would help with any situation that may arise.
Cheryl,
This information is critical to the success of the students. Knowing that they have support and resources available to them greatly increases their engagement and retention.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is so important to give students what they need to be successful in school. They need to know the expectations of the school and expecatation in the classroom in order to be successful. They also need to know who they can go to if they have a concern or an issue be tha it is personal or an issue with their classes.
Especially for non traditional age students, I believe they need a very strong personal support system. It is important to meet with friends and family to explain the importance of their education and the difficult challenges ahead; and to request understanding and assistance for their not being able to meet normal commitments and obligations.
I couldn't agree with you more. I agree that teamwork is essential in the learning environment. I encourage students to form study groups as well.
Jennifer,
Good way to start off a class. You get your students problem solving and working together from the very beginning. This is what they are going to experience in the work world so they need to learn how to work together as students so they can transfer these skills to their careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The icebreaker on the first day of class is an integral part of this process. Students always respond positively to the quirky problem-solving task of choosing which items to take with them onto a deserted island from their sinking ship.
This icebreaker encourages debate and articulation of ideas as well as humor and collaboration. It is then related back to the Success Skills course--and by that time, many of the students are already comfortable with speaking their minds and will link it back to the idea of supporting one another to get through all sorts of situations.
The symbolic theme of survival allows me to breach those subconscious fears that they won't do well, that they'll "drown" in new challenges without having to draw them into the open and potentially leave students feeling raw. Perhaps this is looking too far into it (I am young and overly right-brained), but it seems to set a theme of positive bonding in my classes overall.
Later in the course, I also set up study groups in-class to study for the midterm after lecturing on study group ideals. Demonstrating that study groups won't, in fact, kill them is always a plus :)
Sandra,
This is a comprehensive approach to supporting your students and getting them settled into the course. Having available referral sources that you can use is so valuable to the students because they know they can come to you for support and assistance as needed. This makes you a learning leader and model for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The best way to help students is to really know your students and to show them you care about them. I always begin the first class by talking about the ups and downs of life and by sharing some of my life experiences. I then open it up to the students, giving them the choice to share a little or a lot with their peers. By the end of the first class, the students realize that they have more similarities than differences and have already begun to create an internal support system among each other. I also encourage each student, if they are struggling with an external problem, to come to me and we can talk in confidence. I have a list of referrals to many different organizations and counseling services that I provide to any student needing an outside support system.
I believe if you encourage them and have them help or get involved in groups or discussions. If you encourage the individual and give them positive reassurance
Michelle,
How do you use the information you acquire by listening to help the students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By listening to them in the classroom.
Jessica,
This is such a great resource to have and hopefully your students take advantage of it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At our campus we have student services that provides students with support, and/or where to go to get what they need.
Erika,
Good way to help your students develop a school support system while showing them the value of networking. This is an important part of students career development as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sometimes students don't see the connections between themselves and other students. So, groupwork and teamwork assignments help the students to form friendships and connections with their classmates. They often refer back to these students in other classes for support and study groups. But, it is also important to help them realize all the different resources within the school by introducing them to the people that can help them.
Lawrence,
Having these systems in place is very important for student retention and success. The more you can help students to identify and create them the more engaged the students are going to be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I can help students identify and create personal support systems by paying attention to their background, personal issues, and their abilities to do their perform in school.
Robert,
What a great resource this is for your students. They should be thankful to the college for providing them with this type of support as they progress through their education.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In our Student Success class, we have incorporated a portion on Support Systems. We have a staff member that will take students for support from the College. Our Student services discuss support systems for our community. This is followed by discussions on personal support systems, which includes but not limited to family and friends.
