Why Is It That Certain Students Really Connect and Others Don't?
Every orientation it's interesting to see if you can "read" a student's passion for education and going to school. Students who think that orientation is a waste of their time, etc. Sometimes it's no surprise that these same students withdraw from school and also on the other side, when they are begging to re-enter because they made a mistake and release the value of education and what they threw awa.
Edgar,
This has been my experience as well. In fact I have had such students later express to me how much they appreciated the fact I called their attention to their behavior and help to shape their behavior in a way that enabled them to continue toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You are correct. And some students are craving the attention. I have found that if i'm genuine when aproaching a student, they will open up. It creates a good student - teacher relationship.. :)
Jenny,
This is a great example of how someone in your past gave you a strategy to use not only then but now that you are a teacher yourself. We have to open the doors of opportunity for the students to connect the dots between course content and their lives. This is when motivation really kicks in just as it did for you. Thanks for sharing this example with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always remember a lesson I learned about my learning. In a high school history class, we were studying Native American history. I was bored in this class until I was given an assignment to connect this history to me. What impact did the events of this history have on me and my family personally?
From that day forward, I was engaged.
I try to remember the importance of constantly striving to connect the material to each and every student.
Craig,
Good for you and your colleagues. Yes, orientation is important but they often are nothing more than boring being talked at sessions that students want to avoid. You and your department has developed an orientation process that is engaging for the students and as a result they are ready to start the new course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find Orientation to be invaluable for my department. I try to quickly discover the general motivation of each student as well as talk about the program they are entering. I then collect a roster along with their phone numbers and email addresses. I also give them two assignments: I ask them to email me a brief introductory message and also to read their program of study in the school catalog. Finally I also discuss alumni students and show their portfolios to the Orientation group. This quickly demonstrates an end goal for them to achieve and there is a tangible physical artifact for them to see and touch.
I try to make Orientation as positive as possible so that word gets around that my department's Orientations are not to be missed.
I think some people have hard time emotionally coping with their own problems and they are afraid to be exposed if connected to the teacher.
Sharon,
This is an interesting observation time for faculty. You are right about how students perceive their educational future from the very first day in a course be it online or on site. It is sad when they go into their education with a negative attitude because unless someone can help them early they are going to be gone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hi Sharon
I have found in my experience that for some students, school is just another aspect of their lives whereas for others and for ourselves, education has been so important to our success. One of the learning modules mentioned that adult learners may not have had a continued and positive experience in education so their relationship for what it can mean to enhance their lives may not be fully understood, especially they have not had remodels or others in their families to pursue higher education.
Katherine Cheairs
