Dr. Meers,
Instructors can identify and create support systems by gettign to know the students in their classes. An instructor has to be able to know a possible student's weakness to fix the weakneess as soon as possible. Also, an isntructor has to be able to motivate the student that at the end the studnet has to beleive in the class or prgram they are completing. A student should be able to see who whether it is family or friends who is helping them be a positive influence while they are in school
Antoinette,
Good way to get your students to see the "big picture" from the beginning of class. Once they get the outside items taken care of then they can concentrate on the class and be successful in it. In addition, they know they have a supportive instructor available to them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree and have seen this system in practice, especially for those students who have overcome many challenges in order to even start college. The support of their classmates is important and crucial to learning success. If the environment is overly competitive it is discouraging.
I always tell my students to get their ducks in a row before they start my class. I tell them to map out a cousre of action on how they are going to get to school (transportation), setting up childcare if needed, setting up an area and time for studying outside of school, and coordinating they work schedule with their school schedule if applicable. I also encourage classmates to exchange phone numbers or e-mails so they can use each other as support systems. I always stress that I am available for any tutoring, questions or frustrations that they have.
Venusa,
Great ideas for how to get students familiar with the support systems that exist in their school and how they can personalize those systems to be of help to them when needed.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Miriam,
This is a such a great resource for the students. This way they know they have support available if they are willing to use it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
We can help stduents identify and create personal support system by taking the time and sit down with them and do academic advising. Start with providing them positive feedback based on the good things the student had acocmplished so far and create a regular academic advising session with the student. Provide the student information abotu institutional resources such as tutoring hours provided, library resources, mentoship program either by faculty-to-student or student-to-student, as well as creating a Student Council representing the multicultural and diverse stduent population. Also, if resources permit, availability of Dean of Students will also be helpful. Providing various instructional methods and format that students can utilize based on their available time can also maintain student engagement and keep them on track.
Our school has set up a week long orientation so the students become familiar with all of the resources the school and department has to offer. A one on one introduction to the school and support can set them up for success and not failure.
I feel that everyone need to be encouraged. The degree will vary from one person to another. But, when you tell someone that theydid a good job, this will encourage them to do even better. Make sure encouragement is valid and deserved
Guerda,
Good point. Knowing we have support makes all of us want to be successful and share with others our success. Teaching is a great profession in which we get to do that.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
We have to point out resources and people that can be added to or used as support systems. Also, interestingly, people that work in education have a particular interest in student success because our job performance is usually evaluated base on student progress.
William,
Good strategy. Mentoring is a very valuable tool for keeping students in school and having success. When they know someone is there to help them they are encouraged and motivated to be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Often times the student has very little support at home, we attempt to buddie the student with previous of still attending senior students to help them adjust and have the support system they don't have at home.
Create an open line of communication with your students. Learn about there life out of school and how that may impact their ability to learn and or attend class.
Tammy,
Thanks for sharing your personal example of how through instructor support you were able to complete your formal education and become a teacher. This is inspiring for students to know. They know you have been where they are.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
i myself am a adult learner i didnt finish college for 18 years after high school and after a 20 year career doing something totally different if it werent for the instructors that keep me focused and taught to my hands on style learning i would of never made it threw school they created a personal support system for the adults that helped us assimilate back into school but werent obvious about it so the youngsters didnt catch on
I try to let the students know that all people who succeed need to overcome obstacles. The road to succes is often bumpy. They are not alone and they are not the first to encounter difficulty.
John,
Many students think no one understands them. By knowing that their instructor not only understands them but may have also had the same life experiences as they are having creates a connection that helps facilitate learning rapport.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I strongly agree, being able to understand where a student is coming from I feel can really give that student hope. To know others have faced the same struggles and some still do can create a world of difference for some students.
I can first listen and understand what their needs are. Then help the student identify what resources are available to them. I believe once you help the student through this process they can besome self-efficiency.
