Knowing the reasons why a student enrolls in our school helps me identify the students goals, also any prior experence that he or she has had in the field helps me to tailor my classes to help these students obtain thier goals and objectives. I think that it is important to know what the students expetations are and what they want to get out of the classroom. If I have some idea as to thier backgrounds and what got them here it helps me get the information across to them. During the first couple of days I try to get the students to talk a little about themselves, how they heard about the school, where they are from, and what they want to learn. I find that this helps make a good class environment.
How do you get that information out of a student? Do you ask them why they are enrolled as part of class time?...or so you ask to meet them in private?
It is in the insturctors best interest to understand WHY a person is apart of their class. It gives the instructor an idea of how serious a student is, and in some cases, how well they will do in the course. A person who is there only because someone else wants them to be, may not excel as well as a person who chose to be there because they are truly interested in the course.
With planning, you are prepared to deal with different situtaions that may be presented to you and knowing how to deal with them will show true professionalism and preparedness. It will show no matter what a student's personal goal is, your are the foundation to their success in the program.
I will be able to plan towards there individual need and make the material relevant to the skills they want to obtain.
Ah, yes...reasons for enrolling.
Part of instructor inservice provided by our institution as a means of 'teaching to teach'. Also working toward an 'instructors certificate'.
Knowing the students' own perceptions of why each one is enrolled in the particular course helps the instructor to address effectively the explicit academic, social, and interpersonal goals of each student. Teaching can be tailored to meet those felt needs.
Additionally, this strategy provides clear evidence, as it were, that the instructor does have the best interests of the student at heart. "S/he really cares about me."
Hi Vince,
I always feel bad for such students. They really haven't had the opportunity to make a meaningful, realistic, or informed career choice. Someone else, like parents, have made that decision for them. I hope such students find their true career choice some where along their life's path.
Gary
At the core, motivation reveals the values that each student possess. There are those that have long term effects such as a passion for the field or pursuing a set of morals and ideals. On the contrary, the ones that are short lived are the one that stem from social acceptance and fear or punishment. I have various students who enroll because “their parents made them do it”. In the process of retention, these students do not last as long.
Teaching at a culinary school it is easy to assume why the students are enrolled. However this does not get to the core of what is motivating them. On the first day of class, asking the students why they are here in class is my favorite 'ice-breaker'. Their answers shed light in more ways than they realize and are key for deciding the direction my in-class activities and projects will take.
Elizabeth
That's easy, it helps to set the topics that will be taught in the class. Of course the first day I have a syllabus, but after asking the students why they took the course, it allows me to revise it to include chapters in the book that we may not have covered.
The more we as instructors know why the student took our class, the easier it is to teach them.
WHEN I KNOW WHY STUDENTS HAVE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM,OTHER THAN FOR THE MONEY,I WILL KNOW THAT THIER HEART IS IN IT.THAT IS A MAJOR REQUIREMENT TO BE SUCCESS IN THIS INDUSTRY.
It can help you in creating the the focus of your discussions/lesson plans. Most of our students have some idea of what their goals are; whether it is becoming a restaurant owner, caterer, private chef, etc. I like to focus the lesson as to how it can be applied to these careers. It can also help when you know the level of expertise they already have. It is particularly difficult to teach to the novice and the advanced culinary student at the same time. Sometimes I have the seasoned student help with demo.
Hi Ellen,
This is a great way to get the students thinking in a holistic way. It is not just that they need to be successful as students they need to be successful so they can help people. They need to see the big picture of their preparation.
Gary
We are a chinese medical college and our students need to become proficient with acupuncture, herbology, and western medical backgrounds. Knowing this is their final goal is an excellent motivator for studnets- since they are not just trying to pass a test- someone's health is in their hands.
