Encourage students to utilize the help available
In preparing to facilitate an online course for students new to college I will be incorporating the following:
1. state in weekly communications that using the college resources is a smart thing to do, in fact, is expected;
2. affirm when a student self-discloses using help;
3. reinforce collaboration amongst students;
4. focus on skills that need improvement and give specific direction to a particular resource.
These strategies with help students be successful in the course and their subsequent courses.
Hi Krista,
I've had the same experience in the past. The school for which I teach offers all kinds of supplemental help--learning labs, tutoring, knowledge assessments, etc. I'm constantly reminding my students both during class and in discussion threads and announcements that this help is available to them...I always say, "you're paying tuition, so take full advantage of these services!" Some students take my advice, but many don't...I think they feel as though participating in these "extra" activities will just be more work for them. Sadly, their grades usually SHOW their lack of participation...if you ever stumble upon an effective solution to this, I'd love to hear it.
Tammy
Hi Larry,
Your first statement is one of my favorites! Absolutely, we can GIVE OUT, but we must not GIVE UP!
Patricia
You have to remember God helps those who help themselves. But, in our business we have to try to play God to help our students. Everybody in this forum has good ideas. Regardless, there are a million more ideas out there, the only solution is WE DONT GIVE UP.
Hello Krista,
I agree with the previous answers, also you can identify those students that seems to have difficulty and ask them to stay few minutes after class to discuss their specific needs. In my experience sometimes students tend to be shy and they do not want to ask questions or been seen in tutoring. Basically they do not want by their fellow classmates to know that they are falling behind or might need extra help .
Hi Rhonda,
Great advice! Some students simply refuses all help. It breaks your heart, but if they don't allow you to help them, you cannot.
Patricia
It sounds like you are offering whats available I agree that you should document your attempts but you could also ask the students individually to stay behind after class for a few minutes or pull them aside at a scheduled break to discuss the situation further and find out why they won't respond to help. There may be some underlying reason.
Hello Krista,
Document it whenever you have offered help. It sounds like you are doing all you can. Continue to do what you are doing. Some students just like pointing fingers.
Patricia
My question is that I have some students that really do need to seek help, yet will not. I have encouraged and talked with privately, yet they simply have not taken advantage of the tutoring program or the after school help that I offer. In my recent student evaluations a student stated that I did not seem to get help for my students. How else can I demonstrate that I am offering them the help other than dragging them to tutoring myself?
