Hi Connie,
This is an excellent way to encourage your students and for them to remember why they are in school. The family connection gives them motivation and drive for completion. In addition, their families have a better understanding of why the student has time commitments and tasks to complete while at home.
Also, helping them with identifying other support systems is a great service to these students as many of them don't know how to create a support system for themselves.
Gary
I encourage my students to get their family involved in their education especially their children. Children are excited when their parent can share their school work with them. They can do their homework together at the same time which helps both parent and children to work together and still have family time. My students report that their children are also excited when they share their test scores especially if the scores are good, which also reinforcing their children to continue to do well in school. Sometimes I get reports of competitions between parents and their children. Having family buy-in to adult education is important to student retention and the overall success of the adult learner. I also connect my new students with my senior class students to help them become acculammated back into the school routine. I encourage them to share what their first experiences back to school was like and it helps the new students to relax about being back in school after many years. Lastly, I encourage all my students, new and returning students that I am always there for whatever their needs are personal or school related issues because you cannot ignore either. Just because the student is now in school, their personal needs will not go away. Everything is important to their success. Students need many support systems. If I cannot help them, I recommend them to someone who can.
Thankyou.
We are learners too. Sometimes your experience is the best teacher it teaches you so many new things everyday. So I believe one should always keep the doors open for learning new things.
Hi Bindu,
Good strategy. Sounds like it was very successful for your students. Keep up this good work because you are helping the students to feel comfortable in the learning setting.
Gary
It is indeed a challenge for adult learners to motivate themselves. But if you have supporting peers and family members things do seem easier.
What I tried in my class I asked my students(Adult English Learners) to perform an act and they did it. But instead of just letting them perform and give my comments we got the act recorded and asked them to watch and point out what mistakes they made, they were able to point out most of the mistakes and they are now excited to perform the second one and are really inspired to do it better this time.
I think to be inspired they need to be appreeciated for their efforts they are putting in
learning at this age.
Hi Cynthia,
There are some many factors that come into play when you start discussing student support. As a guide line you want to make sure you are not enabling your students but supporting them. Hold them accountable for deadlines and completed work. You can help them with additional resources and feedback which will keep them moving forward in the course.
Any other questions on this please let me know.
Gary
Where do you see the instructors responsibility end and the students begin. I think sometimes I step over this to help students when they should be leaning more on their peers. Of course I could be wrong maybe I am not crossing that line but others have made me feel that going the extra mile is not what they would do, who do you think is correct?
Adults may or may not have the benefit of family who will support them. If they do, I would encourage the student to lean on them for assistance. I would also encourage learners to get to know their classmates and find a "study buddy", someone who could share homework information if they miss class, study for tests together, etc. Also, get involved in the many clubs and organizations that are on a campus. The social aspect of college is vitally important in terms of retention.
First there are resources available to students through student support services where I teach. I would encourage them to connect to these resources. Additionally, I would also attempt to get students to make use of study groups and connections with other students who are highly motivated in the completion of their educational goals. I believe that connecting with other students who are educationally motivated may encourage some students who lack motivation. Addtionatlly, I beleive that in many cases, students are motivated by their peers, and by connecting them with other highly motivated students, their chances of success may be greatly increased.
As the majority of the students are kinetic learners, I individually review skills that weren't mastered during labs during scheduled tutoring sessions.
Hi Tim,
This type of instructor support is so important for students to know about and be encouraged to take advantage of. This way they know that you care about them and their success and this is so important for retention.
Gary
I ask the students on the first day of class about their support systems. Some have great systems and others do not. I then let them know how they can contact me if needed. I advise them of the support resources that the school has available to them, as well as what they can do for them. I try to stay in touch with students that need that extra push and help in any way I can to reach their qoals.
Hi Bobbi,
Thank you for sharing this most comprehensive student support system with us. You have provided a breath of services and opportunities that show the students the services that are available as well letting them know you care deeply about their success.
Gary
When students start college, they have a fear of not fitting in and they want to do just that. Support systems are necessary for all students. Most families will support their student with housing, food,clothing, transportation and the basic necessities. Some families will support the student when they become frustrated and try to help them while others may not. They may not have the knowledge needed to address the students problems. My job would be to let my students know the support systems available to them through the college system. I encourage my students and praise them when they have done a good job. I could arrange for tutoring if they are having difficulty with the course material. I am dedicated to my students and will help them in any way I can, with any problem they may have, and focus on encouragement and motivation. I think if the students make good friends, it will help them by knowing they have a peer group that is going through the way circumstances as they are and they will feel more comfortable talking to their peers than their family or instructor. Bobbi Legg
I agree, but never thought of it that way. Groups are an excellent support system method. However it is just as important to make sure the right student is in the right group. It goes back to knowing exactly what the needs are that way you can style the support system accordingly.
Good post.
Personal support comes in two forms. External and Internal. The School provides internal support. The instructor must be diligent to the needs of thier students so that they can provide the support they require. Tutoring, time management skill training, test taking skill traiing or just some one to listen to them. All can be helpful measures in providing support.
The first thing you can do as an instructor is to let them know you are accessible by giving them your phone number, email etc. Also let them know that you are available and approachable if they need assistance.
Hi Tiffany,
This is great to hear about your daughter advocating for herself through her questioning. Here at my university I run a program for incoming students that have learning disabilities. We pair the freshmen up with junior/senior students so they have a mentor. In addition, we have a resource center where the students can come for assistance and materials. One of our challenges has been getting the word out to high school seniors and incoming freshmen. By having students like your daughter ask questions and get involved in planning for her success in college I know our program and others like it will have the word getting out.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Gary
I have a daughter who is entering her first year of college this fall, and over the winter break, I took her to talk to a professional at the college. I sat back and encouraged my daughter to ask questions. Through her questioning, she discovered the college has a large department for students with learning disabilities, which she has, a mentoring program for all first year students, as well as required freshman meetings that help retain and encourage the students. Had she not been given the opportunity to ASK questions, she would not know or feel the support system she would have on the new campus. Allowing students to ask even the most rhetorical questions may be a great way for people to learn.
Hi Carrie,
I commend you and your college for this new effort. Your students are going to benefit greatly from the knowledge they acquire from this course. Social skills are critical for career success so the more skills they can achieve the better prepared they are going to be upon graduation.
Gary
