Hi Cristina,
This is a good strategy to have as it shows the students that the instructor is forward focused and that they can achieve success if they are willing to invest the time and effort.
Gary
Knowing what the final goal for each student will be helps the instructor to make class objectives to the student seem more realistic and applicable to his or her "reality", causing more motivation and a better class environment
Hi Dale,
Thanks for sharing this example with us. It is a good way to reinforce what you are teaching in the class and shows them what real life is all about.
Gary
Knowing the reason why my students enrolled to this program will help me plan my instruction. For example: If majority of my students are experience A/C techs then I will focus on teaching the fundamental princples of A/C. This will help them understand how to accurately diagnose a problem. When a tech is out on the field, they do not use theory to diagnose. They learn from their mistakes and the problem on equipment become reputation. It becomes routine,techs do not get challenge to a certain point and they forget the fundamentals.
One reason I stumbled across was in working with a student over a number of classes - his original goal was to get out of his family's business and go to work for a "sensible" company. Once I started pointing out some of the positives of working with the family (e.g.: free lunches every day, no big deal to stroll in late once in a while or leave early to attend class, the list went on) his opinion slowly began to change. He is now beginning to take on a larger role in the management of the family's business and is looking forward to continuing in that role upon his graduation.
I've noted that this will be a great example to use in future classes.
Knowing why students have enrolled will allow us as teachers to meet their needs and validate their expectations. One of the tools we use to measure each student's expectation level of their classes is to give them a Needs Assessment on the first day of every class. This assessment asks them 3 questions: what they already know about the topic of the course, what they hope to learn, and how they plan on using these skills and knowledge in the industry. This allows us to gauge their expectations and deliver a class that meets their needs as learners. It also allows our students to be invested in their own education.
In the case of our insitution, the key concepts we build our instructions around "getting the job" for which we are preparing our students, and the concept of "excelling at the job." Something we always encourage is "passion for the job" as well.
Hi John,
You make a key point. A caring instructor creates a setting that engages students at a higher level. Compassion and caring really help to develop rapport with students and that leads to higher retention on the part of students.
Gary
It gives you a better understanding of the characteristics and experiences your students bring to the classroom. This in turn, can assist the instructor in enabling the student learner to actually learn about diverse cultural experiences that foster a more comfortable environment for learning. It puts the student at ease and generate a level of consistent sharing of information and pearls of wisdom.
There is nothing better to putting a student at ease than knowing that there instructor care enough to inquire about them.
It is important to know why they have enrolled because you can help them by relating their reasons with those of others. Many people enroll because they have been laid off or feel a need to change in their lives.
Hi Dale,
Good point about returning graded work promptly. Students want to know as soon as possible how they did on the assignment/test and where they stand in the class. The quicker we can get this information to them the quicker we can reduce some stress in their lives.
Gary
The more I've thought about this, the more I've come to the realization that a big part of their expectations is to have their paperwork graded in a timely manner (probably one of their larger complaints).
It helps in meeting their expectations
Hi Julie,
This is a great way to expand your expertise as an instructor. You are able to compare what you are experiencing as a graduate student with how you are presenting your course content. You know how your students value relevancy and rapport so you can build on it.
Gary
As a graduate student myself, it is very helpful when the instuctor takes the time to find out who we are and why we are there. Nothing is more frustrating to a student than when the instructor is teaching to a different level than where the students are. Knowing why students are there, especially adult students, helps the instructor choose what to focus on within the curriculum.
Knowing student goals provides insight that will help in the planning of any course. The student that was forced to enroll will likely act out in class and need more attention. The forced-enrolled can be won over if they are are shown how the course content can improve their lives and help them obtain career placement in the future. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the self-motivated student will need less attention because they have chosen to enroll. However, the self-motivated are still looking for the "what's-in-it-for-me" and how will this help me succeed in my chosen profession.
The challenge that I've faced in the classroom is how to meet the needs of both the forced-enrolled and self-motivated student at the same time. If there is a vocal forced-enrolled student in the classroom, I've found that more time is spent "controlling" behaviors, which means less time is spent on content delivery and comprehension. When time in the classroom is spent on behaviors, the self-motivated students will disengage from the material and become frustrated.
Tying to manage the expectations and behaviors of both types of students is challenging. However, I have found some success in 1-on-1 discussions, my physical location in the classroom, group work, and establishing a classroom that takes responsibility communal behavior. Managing classroom behavior starts with understanding student expectations, which stems from a student's reason for enrolling.
Hi Antoinette,
This is a very good point in terms of career preparation. Students should select a career area that provides them with the reinforcement they personally want, along with the financial return they desire. Any help they can get in this process will help them to know they have made the right choice and this increases the potential for them completing their coursework.
Gary
Knowing why a student actually enrolled helps because you can begin to focus on obstacles before they occurr. Many students enroll because of not finding a job and they aren't working now. I know if thats the reason they enrolled during attending school this will be a problem. They don't realize enrollment is not a quick fix for no income currently. SO referring them to Career Services in advance can be a option.
Being able to communicate with the reason they enrolled is great. Letting them know that they made the right choice in a career. Some adults feel like they are at a dead end and they have worked so many years in a factory or restuarant and they want something diff for not only themselves but also there family. Letting them know they made the right decision is crucial in retention. Making them feel like they reach a new goal everyday is a good feeling. Sometimes I will put a goal for the day on the board, for example Goal today: Read prescriptions. If each student can read a whole prescription by the end of that class we reached our goal.
Hi Bill,
You make a number of very good points about why knowing why students enroll in a particular career area is important. It is unfortunate that those that really don't want to be in the culinary arts field don't have better career counseling so they can select a career that will give them the reward both personally and financially they are seeking from a career.
Gary
