This can be done through your first class introductions. I personally make students match up with someone they do not know for an interview. Each student is to introduce their partner to me and the class. This usually helps to break the ice and give each student a new person to add to their support system.
I often pair an older student with a younger one. The experience of age and the exuberance of youth often produces interesting work as well as creates friendships that would not normally occur.
As the pre-adoptive mother of a fourth grader I have learned the hard way that everyone needs a support system. In our daughter's case we have had to invent one from scratch: The morning sitter who gets her on the bus, her riding instructor, her two sitters when she is on a break or vacation.
My students are different. Most of them have their own personal support system: babysitters, spouses, friends, etc. What my students need more often is assistance in identifying college support systems. They need to be directed to the I.T. Department or to Financial Aid. It is my job to #1. Listen. It is then my job to direct them where they need to go for help. I think it is important to direct them and not do it for them so that they learn to resolve their own issues.
Hi Mike,
This is a great start to a new class. The students know they have an instructor that cares and is there to support their success if they will put forth the effort.
Gary
Early in the course I send the students a note and encourage them to set up these types of personal support systems to ensure that they are ready to avoid any pitfalls
Hi Kim,
This is a great way to provide support to your students. They know you care about them and their success and this is critical for their success.
Gary
During the first week of the course I ask the students to create an introductory bio to tell me about themselves, work experience, educational experience, family, etc. This piece is a great way to get insight into each student, and having the ability to refer to it to call out to specific students in the discussion area is critical.
Our college also has a group called Student Resource Services that our campus is making very visable to students. In the online arena we have weekly "Did You Know" announcements about the various services they offer.
Since I have the challenge of not meeting students face to face, being readily available is critical in showing students support.
One way is grouping them with other students who may have the same problems. It will give them some support from other students on how to deal with issues.
I meet with each one individually to learn a bit aobut their background. This allows me to gage their support system and consider needs they may have.
First students should discuss what types of support they think they may need, as this may vary from student to student based on their own personal circumstances and experiences. As instructors, we can then discuss the resources available through the college as well as helping students work through identifying external support systems. Students may be able to recommend resources to each other and discuss how they have been assisted in certain situations. It may be helpful for some students to role play asking for specific support.
Hi Sandra,
I think this is a very important effort. By having them list out their network they can see who they have surrounding them and who they can call upon when faced with certain situations. This reassures them that they are not alone and that they can be successful in college as a result of their network and support system.
Gary
I like to ask students to work on this topic the first day of class. Having them write down exactly who is in their support network (on and off campus) and what each person can provide them support with helps them to utilize those supports more readily and reminds them that no matter how rough the road, they are never alone.
I think by getting to know their classmates and able to work in small groups allows the students to start to build their own study groups and partner up with classmates. I believe this helps them to build personal support systems from class. I also will personally introduce them to tutors and other strong students who can help them succeed. Last I give out my phone number email address and let them know my office hours if they need any of my assistance to be of support.
Hi Peggy,
This is so important to teach the students. They need to learn about and practice teamwork because they are going to need it in the workplace. Also, through teamwork the success rate is going to be higher for everyone.
Gary
I encourage students to know their own and other's strengths, to seek out other students who may be able to help strengthen them in their weak areas and in turn they will be able to strengthen their classmates where they are not as strong....teamwork.
Hi Matt,
You make a very good point about the need to earn the respect and trust of your students. Once this has been done then they will be willing to share more about their needs and career aspirations.
Gary
At first do not try to "pull" needs from the student. Prior to training students may be apprehensive, and unwilling to share. As you ease into training, observe the student's non-verbal as well as behavioral cues. With time, practice and patience, your students will gain confidence and trust in you as an instructor. Eventually they will open up more and offer you valuable feedback.
A great deal of effort is needed to guide students properly in regard to personal support systems. Because a system has work for me, the instructor, does not mean it will work for them. However, as being established as the authoritative leader, sharing how I have developed personal support systems proves to be very useful in guiding them towards developing their own system. Two-way feedback also helps re-enforce an individuals needs versus a student with completely different needs.
Hi Joseph,
Your students have a real asset in you as an instructor. By having the experience as a social worker you know how to do referrals for services for them. Much of my work is doing career planning with persons with disabilities. The need for adult support services is great and once we get those services lined up then we can make progress toward their career goals.
Keep up the work that you are doing. The emotional and social support is so important to keep them forward focused and able to engage in the learning that is needed for their vision quest.
Gary
Gary, Throughout my courses I may learn that a student has an old computer that is really slowing them down, or that they require additional money for transportation or someone to watch their child while they seek out resources. As a former social worker, I help them identify and develop the necessary resources and encourage them to apprise me of the experience with these resources. I also make a point of praising individual memebers of a student's suport group whenever they acknowledge that they have been helped by a family member, neighbor or friend. I also encourage them to remember those who helped when they finally reach their educational goals. Joe
