Adult Learners
I find in our program, the adult learners (over 30) sometimes require more encouragement. They can lack confidence and I have to be careful that I am not "babysitting" as the course warns about. They do seem more motivated but look for validation from me about their progress.
Adult students as with all students learn at different levels. As an instructor we need to develop the ability to see what level they are at and support them.
Michael,
Through support and reinforce is one of the ways to get such a student moving forward. This may not be effective though because many students like this have learned how to work the system and instructors to get a grade rather than learning the content and acquiring the skills. They manipulate rather than invest in themselves. I would not be afraid to fail such a student even as a new instructor because you must retain and enforce the standards of your field if you are going to retain your professionalism.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
How do you turn a border line student into a confident enough student to start wanting to engage more with taking their own learning more serious and not be handed everything. As a new Professor I had a student who would not take any initiative on his . How he passed any class was a quest to me, but I did not want the one to fail him as my first class teaching.
Lisa,
This is a good point as it relates to working with older students. They need early course success which will help them with the development of their self confidence and career growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
