Time management is something I also talk about repeatedly with students. Many of the students are busy with jobs, family, etc., but I point out that they will have more success by not procrastinating. Specifically, I point out that research papers are term-long projects. They aren't something that can be done in one or two days.
At the beginning of your course, after you have explained about all of the particulars, an easy way is to give them a simple quiz that is so easy that you know that everyone can be successful when they take it. Also tell them this is an example only and it will not count toward their final grade. Make sure you go over the results with the entire class and show them that this is how easy it can be to learn this material.
I'm going to try the idea of creating study groups or study partners. My students are, for the most part, very supportive of each other, and willing to help each other. Seeing that other students are overcoming challenges gives students confidence that that too can be successful.
By creating a support system as well as advising them, you as an instructor, want them to succeed in their chosen career. Also, I believe the sooner that ideology is put forth in the class, the more successful the students and instructors will be.
I think it is best to always reassure and encourage the students to do their best. I went through a lot of fear when I was in college at 18 and then again when I went back at 28, so I can empathize and tell the students my experiences and ensure them they will be okay if they put forth the effort. I would let them know that I am here to help in any way that I can to ensure their success.
Hi Michelle,
You make three very good points about how to approach the classroom successfully. By doing all three you are setting the stage for success for your students. You are blending both the educational and personal aspects of teaching into your delivery.
Gary
I thing feedback and building their self-esteem is one thing that has work for me the best.
First of all, I always tell my students on the first day of class that I am here to help them to be successful. I tell them what my office hours are and the various methods of reaching me. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with any questions that they have. The only question that is a "stupid" question is the one that is never asked!
Second, I make sure to give students as much feedback as I can, especially towards the beginning of the quarter. I always try to find a way to make at least one positive comment as well. This helps my students to understand that I really do care how they are doing on the work. I am also able to give constructive criticism, too, which in turn helps the students to improve.
Last, I tell students of my fears and failures when I was a college student. No one person is perfect, and I think that it is important for students to understand that everyone makes mistakes at some point. All that you can do is learn from those experiences!
From the very start making it clear that you are there for them, and will support their efforts. The "human element" is important so I make a special effort to know as much about my individual students as possible.
Hi Judy,
Good points all on how to reinforce your students. They sometimes forget that all of their instructors are former students themselves. We have all been where they are and as a result of our efforts have been able to get to where we are. So they can see that if they work hard and complete their schooling they have a rich future ahead of them.
Gary
There are probably several ways I can better assure students they can be successful--tuning into their specific backgrounds, addressing their (often tentative) concerns, and stressing that consistent work will pay off. Even admitting I went back to graduate school more than once is helpful.
Hi Desiree,
Good point. We make mistakes, we learn from them and grow as a result. This is what life is all about. The key is to profit from the mistakes not let them overcome us.
Gary
Simple. We all make mistakes. Bill Gates wasn't successful without first failing a few times. We need to learn from our mistakes and move forward. If we don't make mistakes we don't learn. The idea is to catch the mistakes early on so we can learn from them. How do you know that you don't understand the homework until you actually do it?
Hi Scott,
You should feel very good with the results you have achieved with your students. You had an impact on them and their careers as evidenced by the emails you are still receiving from them to this day. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I let my students know that success in college is more about perserverance than being the smartest student in the class. For the struggling students, I keep them motivated by telling them that if they show up to class, read the chapters and do the assignments it will be very difficult to fail my course.
I always tell my students I am want to help them succeed, but I need to them to try too; and by telling them that, they trust me and we have built up a great student/instructor relationship.
I have them work on forming study groupsl; look at other students in their other classes and see if they see anybody else with the same book, that they could buddy up with.
Till this day I get emails thanking for the help I gave them.
I find that I try to make students comfortable from the start in class. I ask the students to tell me a little bit about themselves and usually ask what their least liked food is. Almost everyone has something that they can find common ground with in this area and helps students, no matter the age, make a connection with someone else in the class. I find that if I give the students a break shortly after this they almost always start chatting with a neighbor and begin to start the support systems within the class they will need through out time in school and in the future.
I feel to be successful in college one has to approach the learning experience with an open mind and a sincere willingness to work. Regardless of age, it is easy to sit in your comfort zone and reject ideas that make you have to rethink the way you've always thought about or done things. Being successful in college means being willing to try new things, and learning to accept failure as something that is only temporary, that is, until one can get help, regroup and try again. The saying, "You only fail when you stop trying," should be one of the sayings a college student constantly reminds themselves of.
I show my students examples of other designers work, talk about what circumstances they had to overcame to be successful.
Hi Pamela,
This is a great way to "roll" out a course and engage your students in the learning process. You are giving them study strategies and as a result you are giving them hope. Hope being in the form of self confidence and the understanding that they can pass the course if they put forth the effort.
Gary
