Get Your Students Hired
Hello:
I teach at an intercity career college so most of my students have issues outside of the classroom that are serious to them.
Their life style is not what we would call normal to us but it is to them. We have to find ways to keep the studen motivated to achieve their goals and stay focused on them all the time.
The drama that is in their life can change at any minute and they will try to drop school in a New York minute. We often hve student appreciation to help keep their mind on school and that they belong here.
Hi Chuck,
Our students need to know that we genuinely care about them! Students frown upon insincerity.
Patricia Scales
Many of my students are veterans returning from combat. This brings some unique opportunities to their learning. There experience lets them sense if you are insincere in how you treat, listen and respond to them and they will close down when you are insincere. I find complete honesty and respect will help with this type of adult learner
Hi Albert,
Yes, they have a lot going on, but we have to encourage them they can do it, and this is their ticket to a better life. I have been doing it for more than 25 years! I know it can be done. Our students just have to believe, and we have to get them to that point of belief.
Patricia Scales
The challenge at my school is that many of the adult learners resources are stretched to the breaking point; a sick child, changed job schedule, lack of gas money to get to class. Given a lack of time between work, school, family, and homework. it gets overwhelming and they just disappear.
I agree with you Anthony. I tell my students that all the time. When they try to use their jobs as an "excuse" that hinders them from being successful in school, I have to let them know that I don't know their financial situation as far as if they HAVE to work or not and can't make that decision for them. I just try to tell them to find a balance between the two that will allow them to remain successful at both. I do tell them that sometimes they will probably have to make a sacrifice (with work)for their education so that they will have a career instead. (Always showing empathy when discussing their situation/s.)
Hi Anthony,
You are right! This is the truth! Some students just don't want to listen.
Patricia Scales
I try to Advise the student that school is the way for them to have a better life.
Hi Joanna,
It sounds like your method is working. If it is okay with higher authority, you should continue to use your method which seems to be very effective.
Patricia Scales
Hi Beatrice,
Awesome ways to generate excitement/interest from students. At my institution we have an assembly that involves a guest speaker every 5 weeks.
Patricia Scales
At my campus we engage the students within specific projects and present them with student appreciation sessions. In addition we have guest speakers, community activities and so forth. This has been a positive factor in helping the students reach their goals of finishing the semester which inches closer to completing their program.
I teach college on-line and the vast majority of my students are adults. It clearly stated in the class that these students tend to prefer the "lecture style" of learning. So why are we trying to move away from that and go with a more nebulous, "let's have more of a discussion" type of chat session, especially when the students have little to no background in the subject matter (science) to begin with? When I have tried this format, few students show up, they sit in silence, even if I ask questions (because no one knows the answer or has any ideas of what questions to ask) and they do very poorly on the assignments. When I do it my way (lectures and PowerPoint slides) where students know they can ask me questions at any point in the lecture, they do much better. I just don't understand why the institutions want us to go with a format that most of the students clearly do not like?
Hi Greg,
I fully understand! You have to cheer this type of student on everyday. When life happens, they want to quit!
Patricia Scales