Hi Sandra,
Good points about how to work with students that are there for reasons other than their own. I am always sad when I hear this because the selection of a career is so important that it needs to be done carefully and on the terms of the individual selecting it. Hopefully the parents of students can hear this and work with their son or daughter and allow them to do the selecting.
Gary
By knowing why they enrolled into your program you can establish a set of gates for them to reach and pave the road to reach his goal. Many times you provide leadership and mentorship and assist them with additional material or courses to attend based on your experiences especially if the student knows that you have a back ground on the goal the student has set to achieve.
I agree, it is frustrating to learn that student is there only to please their parents and the profession is not one they really want. I encourage them to talk to their parents, or have their parents come in and for us to talk together. Because if the student has no desire to work in the field of study then money is not only being thrown away, but they are taking a seat away from someone who really wants to be there.
Hi Osiel,
Right you are. This gives a way of planning your instruction so you can target the needs of your students while providing support.
Gary
Hi Katrina,
This is a very important bit of information to get. By knowing the enrollment reason you can develop a delivery strategy that will appeal to that student. This is a way to customize your instruction for the entire class.
Gary
One can tailor teaching once one knows student expectations
I feel it helps you understand where they want to be in the future. What is it they want out of life that you can provide for them. Learners are there for a reason and it's up to the instructor to recognize their goals.
Because that will help me on identifying the areas of special attention
It will give the instructor insight on the needs and goals of the student. It will also better equip the instructor for encouragement and direction for the student.
Hi Kristin,
This is so important to have this information for the reasons you listed. By knowing this you can target your approach to working students based upon their individual needs.
Gary
It will definitely help to understand why students have enrolled. It allows me as an instructor to understand their goals, ie to access finanical aid money, get a job, to start a new career, carry out a dream or passion. Most often I encounter searching for security because they have been laid off from a previous job or career. Once knowing the reason for enrolling, it is often self-confidence in their abilities which is the biggest struggle. So many of my students are seeking security in a new career because their old lifestyle was taken away by losing their jobs. It is taking the fear out of failure and building confidence in their ability to be successful in competing for their new profession.
I always start my first class with a warm up session. I ask everyone to talk about who they are and why they are interested in this particular field of study. Getting to know my students and their individual reasons for enrolling helps me to instruct in a way that speaks to all of their needs.
Hi Linda,
I like to have this information as well. It really does help in the approach one takes in working with a student. It makes it easier for us to help them connect the dots between class and the real world.
Gary
i LIKE TO KNOW WHY A STUDENT HAS CHOSEN MY FIELD OF STUDY. iT HELPS TO KNOW THE DEGREE OF DEDICATION THEY WILL HAVE TO THE PROGRAM. IT DOESN'T EFFECT HOW I TREAT MY STUDENTS OR AT LEAST I TRY HARD NOT TO LET IT. WHAT IT DOES DO IS HELP ME UNDERSTAND THOSE STUDENTS THAT SHOW VERY LITTLE INTEREST NO MATTER WHAT I DO. FOR THE STUDENT THAT IS UNDECIDED WHAT TO DO I CAN FOCUS ON THEM.
Hi Kathy,
Good way to customize your course based upon student needs. This is such an important course the more targeting you can do the greater the success rate is going to be.
Gary
In order to help them reach their goals, I need to know what they are. In our Career Success class, this is one of the first discussions that I want to have with my students. It helps me get to know them and it helps them get to know each other and start to come together as a cohort. Knowing why they enrolled will sometimes effect whether or not I add a specific project to my course.
By knowing why the students have enrolled into my program will help me plan projects and lectures based on their interest. Without that interest the student may become board and not find any value in the program which they were enrolled, at which point the student will be more likely to withdraw from school. So, buy knowing what motivated my student to attend school will allow me to help with retention.
Finding out why your student enrolled in the program does two things. It helps you understand their motives and you can reinforce that as the term moves forward. The second thing it does is it shows you have an interest in the student. If you ask them about their motives you show you care. This plays a positive role in student retention.
knowing why students have enrolled give the educator the information and the understanding of the reason and motivation of the student to change careers or decide that the path chosen is a shot in the dark or a informed and quantifiable desicion
Hi Matt,
Good point and good that you are reminding the students of their career goals and why they need to stay engaged in the learning process. You are helping them to realize their career goals by encouraging and supporting their efforts.
Gary
