My most challenging students are the young ones that have quit school and have not had to follow rules at home for sometime. Those students are the ones that I have to call to the side and have a conference with.
Hi Michelle,
It amazes me that they are in college now, and they don't want to have homework, they want very little class work, they don't think they have to study,etc.... This blows my mind. I have to remind them, "YOU ARE IN COLLEGE."
Patricia
Hi Jeffrey,
I always tell brand new students, I want you to keep the same enthusiasm you have tonight at orientation. It seems like they get around some of the unhappy students and these students affect them negatively. It saddens me to see the enthusiasm vanish.
Patricia
I think the best way to help the unfocused student is to resell them on why they came to school. I have the oppertunity to see every new student that comes in and during orientation they all have smiles on their face and somethig happens along the way. I like to sit down with the students and talk about thier goals and why they came to our school.
I feel that my most challenging students are those that have not been in college before. The students that are right out of high school have a general idea of what to expect. Those students who have taken a break from college and are just coming back also have a general idea of what to expect. Those who have never been in college before, though, are usually the ones that get most frustrated with the material and the study habits that they need to implement in their own lives.
On the first day of class, I typically ask the students how they ended up in school (if they just graduated high school, if they are new to school, or if they are coming back). This allows the students to see that there others in a similar situation. From there, I clearly explain the course expectations and try to give them some study strategies that they can use. Throughout the quarter, I check in with the students often to see how things are going in not only my class but in their other classes as well. With constant encouragement, I hope to help them succeed in their classes!
Hi Beth,
How do you deal the with the students that Mom and Dad sent to you? Are these students generally successful?
Patricia
Hi Alan,
Wow, what an awesome response. I followed everything you said, and I can attest to everything you've said. Our students have all sorts of problems they bring into the classroom. You're right, students must know we care, and we have their best interest at heart. I can tell you care about your students. Your mindset toward this type of student is perfect! Keep caring!
Patricia
Hi Mike,
I too work hard to help the student succeed. I've seen a lot of these type students eventually give up and drop out.
Patricia
Hi John,
I've been told by students right out of high school that they come to college because that's what their parents want. It is not always what the student wants. I've seen some succeed, and I seen some fail.
Patricia
Patricia,
My most challenging students fall into one of two catagories: Those right out of high school trying to make the transition to college and adult learners coming back to school after so many years away.
High school students are somewhat overcome by the "freedom" in college compared to high school. Many are just here because it is expected of them. Others were told to continue with school or move out and get a job. Since school is what they know, they choose school with no real focus on what it is they want. They drift and afer a time become the innatentive student, then the drop out. I try to get these students excited about school and question them as to what they really want. One was studying medical billing when she really wanted photography, which we did not offer. I told her I knew she was going to drop out, so she should drop out at the end of term tin order to keep her credits, then enroll in another scholl that offered photography.
Many adult lerners are coming back due to a change in their lifestyle: death, divorce,or children growing and they are dealing with these life issues at the same time they are dealling with returning to school after so many years. They lack self-confidence and basic skills necessary to survive school life. However, they are motivated and quickly adapt and survive. For these students, I give as much encouragement as possible to help them with the transition.
I find that learning disabled students provide the greatest challenge since they are responsible for the same class requirements as all of the other students. I accommodate as many of their special needs as possible, and work with other faculty members and tutors to get those students as much attention as they need to keep them on track through the curriculum.
The most challenging students are those who exhibit attendance issues and when they are in class don't seem to be concentrating or engaged. I have learned since being in the Career College arena that their disengagement seldom has little to do with the class or the Instructor's methodology. MOre times than not the student is not engaged because their attention is focused on "life's issues" rather than classroom activities.
Every student at our school takes a class called Strategies for Success. This class teaches concepts such as positive thinking, affirmations, improving self-talk,etc. The entire purpose of this class is to enable the student to improve their lives by implementing new life skills. The problem is that as soon as the class is over many students forget everything they were taught and revert back to old life styles and previous bad decision making habits that got them into the problems they now face.
Many of our "non-traditional" learners don't deal with issues as well as they should. They continue to make the same bad decisions they have made all their lives. Theirs lives simply go from one crisis to another just like in a "day time soap."
It is these life issues that control our student's classroom distractions. In order for the Instructor to effectively deal with the getting the unfocused student engaged, they must first assist the student with resolving the issue at hand. Sometimes this can be as simple as listening while other times it involves introducing prfessional counseling into the situation. Either way, it is difficult to gain a student's attention in the classroom when they are concerned about where their next meal is coming from or if their car will be repossessed out of the school parking lot.
I have learned that the most important thing an Instructor can do with any student is to prove to the student that you care. Students are very perceptive to fake sincerity. If you prove to your class that you geniuely care about them succeeding in your class, school, and in life then they will be motivated to learn. This human caring must extend to their "life issues" before they will ever be focused in your classroom.
Hello Amiee,
I have experienced some students are real distant. They do not want to develop a relationship with you. Once I since the student does not want to develop a relationship, I accept that, but I still treat the student the same as my other students. Some students automatically put up a fence.
Patricia
Hello Diane,
How have these students been a challenge? I know that they can be challenging.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the ones right out of high school. I try to involve them in activities such as small group activities to keep them engaged.
I find that the younger students are the most challenging. I try to do activities such as small group activities that will get them involved and interested in the class
the students that act like they don't want to be there. their motivation is not as obvious and it is harder to create a bond with them to keep them engaged
Hi Julie,
Idle time for a bright student is not good. You are doing the right thing to keep them very busy. This type student abuses idle time.
Patricia
I have found the younger, more immature students who also happen to be the brightest the most challenging. These students understand the material presented immediately,and do not have the maturity to understand that not everyone comprehends as quickly as they do. They are more apt then to make jokes, ridicule other students, or just carry on their own conversations during class. The most effective way I have found to deal with them is to provide some additional work for them to do above and beyond minimum class requirements. Challenging their intellect often gets them focused and thinking about the subject matter at hand.
My most challenging students are the one that Mom and Dad are forcing to attend school so they decided on a technical school. I have always walked around the room and used group work to keep students focused. I will also do random verbal quizing.
