Setting the limits on course standards.
In my opinion there is a time and place for everything. Every student has a separate goal of what they want to get from their education. There should always remain a constant that the material is understood. My problem was trying to stretch myself out to cuddle age and cultural diversity. I may have a class with a student going to school in order to stay out of jail and an retired veteran using his GI benefits to pay his rent. Unfortunately both these students aren't looking to improve their career and waste class time. In my opinion there's a limit that if the student ventures to far out you might as well let them fall off the edge, or they'll just end up taking the rest of the class down with them.
ANTHONY,
The profile of your students is common to most educational settings. Students do not want to invest in themselves, they only want to pay tuition and get an A. This presents a challenge for many educators as they are trying to help all students to be successful in their courses and yet there are many that do not care about themselves nor their future. I focus on my students that want to be there and provide my more challenging students with the same supports but take my rewards from students that care and put forth the effort. The other students are not going to pass my course and they are not going to be certified or pass boards so they are not going to work in their field. They seem not to be able to understand this and when at the end of the course they do not pass they are surprised even though they have been reminded of their status in the course on a regular basis. Sad situation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Pride in what your doing seems to be a simple basic concept that a lot of students don't have. I don't know if its because of their upbringing or what. They also don't want to take responsibility for their actions. Its so much easier to blame everybody or everything else except themselves. Every day I see students doing things incorrectly. When you try to help them they look at you like they don't have to do it right, their in school and what they are working on isn't going to run so who cares. Never mind the fact that the next class to take apart what they are working on will never get to see how the part should work because it was never put back together properly or it is missing pieces on the inside.
ANTHONY,
This is a very good point and one that gets me all ramped up. There needs to be pride in what one is learning to do for a career. To do less than one's best is to short change your own career development. I have these same types of students as well and they frustrate me as I know many people would like the opportunity they are being given and yet they won't take advantage of it and apply themselves.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have to agree with Ryan 100%. I teach at an automotive for profit college, and it appears to be the dumping ground for the world. The old adage that anyone can become an automotive technician isn't true. You really need to invest in your education at this school if you plan to succeed in the outside world. Coming here because Uncle Sam is paying for it or you have nothing better to do with your time will not make you succeed. I try to let all my students know this during my introduction the first day. I usually try so size up my students during my first 2 weeks. Who really wants to be here and who is here to waist my time and bring down the class by waisting there time and being disruptive. Anyone of my student who shows me smallest amount of effort will get 100% of my efforts and as far as the others if they want to fail I do not have a problem with their decision.I feel that In a post secondary education they should grow up and be responsible for their efforts.
Ryan,
This is a good point that all instructors need to consider. We cannot compromise our standards nor can we fix someone that does not want to expend the time and effort needed to be successful. I will support those types of students and hope they are successful but if they chose to fail then they fail. They are adults and it is up to them to create a future for themselves what ever that future might be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
