Hi Salvatore,
Well said. We all had to work hard and spend time in our career fields in order to achieve success. Trying to convince of this is an ongoing challenge. The most successful way is through examples. Examples of your own efforts, guest speakers from the field and case studies all help to show them the outcomes that can be theirs if they are willing to invest the effort.
Gary
I believe the most common challenging items I see with my students is their lack of self-direction and self-assurance in making decisions. This keeps them from completing a diagnostic procedure and gaining the knowledge that would come with that task. This leads to their lack of building self-confidence, which they will need in their future. By asking question and giving some support they start to become more confident in what they can do.
I think that the most common challenge I encounter is in teaching diagnosis the idea that they have to have there thoughts organized. The need for a logical liner approach that doesn’t leave out any steps, and because the first test did not tell them what’s wrong doesn’t mean it was a waste of time. It’s hard to explain that they need to find out what it is by learning what it isn’t. The need for instant gratification is hard for them to get past in our instantaneous society. They need to learn to let the process unfold to be successful.
One of the most challenging I feel is their need to fit in in some hierarchial way, or pecking order as it is. These students are always trying to one up each other.
Trying to keep everyone motivated in the class due to different levels of experience, age, ability, and type of learner. There is also the workers who may fall asleep so it has to be interesting.
Hi Bob,
This is a key point in terms of student success. They don't know how to take notes, study for exams or make application of new knowledge. By showing them how this can be you are getting them ready to be successful in the real world.
Gary
It seems that the most common challenge I see in students is asking themselves can I succeed in this training? Or am I able to use these skills in the work place. When students don't have a required training course or homework assignment completed on time it is often because they are not utilizing their time properly. I regularly remind my students of deadlines for getting assignments done and the advantages of getting them done on time or early. The next concern for them is, am I going to pass this class and qualify for my credentials?
I see organization to be a big problem. Many
students do much better after they are shown
how to "work smarter, not harder." In many cases they are able to improve their study habits and improve their scores. Also pairing a well organized student with one that is not in the same work group, tends to improve the habits of the less organized student. Many of our students will be employed by a shop or dealership that pays using the "book" time method so this is very important to make them understand the importance of good organizational skills.
understanding the wording to some things is a concern on a daily basis. Using termanology most used on a daily basis by the students will help you relate the infromation you are giving to things they may already know.
The most common problem I help students with is diagnosing their vehicle problems. I inform them of what phases may have the equipment and/or knowledge to help them come to a proper diagnosis of their vehicle without wasting money on uneeded parts. Without a properly operating vehicle most students would have a difficult time making it to class and work which would jeoperdize their ability to continue school.
My most common challenge while working with my students is to develop a confidence in thier ability to complete the assigned work their by instilling in them that they have what it takes to be successful in my courses and there by they can also be successful in life. I teach them how to FISH so they can support themselves in life. I give them a taste of the fish but I don't feed them.“Education is the Kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” Socrates.
Hi Peter,
The type of encouragement you are giving your students is so important. They need to think that they can be successful before they can be. If they don't think they can they can't. It is that simple so anything that can be done to help their self esteem and confidence will help them with their forward progress.
Gary
Of the many things we, as instructors,have to deal with, I think the student with low self confidence is one of our greatest challenges.These are the students that never think they can do it,no matter what the task. Getting this student to have many little successes along the way is one way I have found to help overcome their own negativity.Praise them along the way,let them know you beleive in their progress(even if they dont)and try to convince them they can if they only try.
Hi Clayton,
Good point. This is similar to the questions "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer--"one bite at a time." If the students can see that taking that one bite, then another, then another and before long the elephant is gone. The same with the course they will be learned a lot, and have a big picture idea of how they can be successful in the field.
Gary
One of the most common challenges I see is after a couple weeks, students realize this isnt just a basic electrical class, in regards to Power Generation. There are alot of new terms and theory behind A/C that they did not use when dealing with D/C electricity. And many get overwhelmed with all the new information and wonder if they will make it in this industry. But once they know that if they stick with it for the whole course they will have a good knowledge and understanding of Power Gen, it all starts looking better for them. So to help with this challenge I just have to motivate and help them see the big picture not just this one obstacle.
probably the realization that every thing they are going to learn will not be given to tham. they will have to take notes ,they will have to draw pictures that i draw and that they will have to do some kind of studying . we are not doing any students justice by teaching them the tests and spoon feeding them , not making them respomnsible.or accountable. i tell them i expect questions and want themto ask them. they are all unique in their own ways but they uasually thank me for pushing them because they havnt had it done enough in other classes. this all requires me to spend more time with them in groups or alone, but it works.
I believe the most common challenge I see with many of my students is their poor time management skills. Many of the students are young and have never developed these skills.
When a student does not have a required web training course or homework assignment complete on time it usually is because of not utilizing their time properly. I reguarly remind my students of deadlines for getting assignments done and the advantages of getting them done early. Some will still procrastinate and not complete assignments on time. Many times assignments could be completed with just the time a student wastes during class.
Hi Steve,
This is a great question and one that all of us in education face all the time. The one consistent challenge my students face each time I start a new course is their questioning of being able to be successful in the course. They have a lot of anxiety about whether they can measure up to the course requirements before even knowing what those requirements are.
Gary
