Based on the comments I’ve read so far I have identified the following three student traits/actions that I find the most challenging:
1.Students that say they can’t do anything for themselves
2.Students that want you to do everything for them
3.Students that say they do not understand or that they are totally lost
When the students graduate from our campus and go to work in their chosen career they are going to learn that they are going to be expected to perform activities by themselves. There future employer expects all of his/her employees to produce a number of jobs per eight hour day.
If the student doesn’t understand or is totally lost because of time missing from class he/she must understand the correlation between not being present to ask questions or sufficient time to complete tasks. They must learn that they alone are responsible for their work.
Students must understand that they need to know how to research the information on their own. The exercises that we have them do is to teach them the proper process in obtaining this information on their own. No one is going to look this information up for them.
Students are given detailed written instructions on how a procedure is to be performed but are too lazy to read the instructions by themselves. We are talking about students who are not challenged with reading or understanding the English language. They would prefer someone else do the procedure for them instead of learning it by themselves with assistance when needed.
Hi Thomas,
You do run across those students that do not have any questions, and when it is time for them to perform they cannot do anything because they don't understand. The minute I determine that they really don't understand anything. I too pair them up with another student that really understands. I even come in early or stay late to help get the student to a level of understanding.
Patricia
Sometime the student that has no questions in hard to read.I have found if they are having problems you don't find out until the first quiz or task they do on there own.I have found teaming them up with a student that does understand helps then also more one on one questions makes them feel more comfortable.
Hi James,
What a great technique to use for talkers and gigglers. It' amazing how "that look" can change things for the better.
Patricia
Hi Thomas,
There are unprepared students that attend various kinds of educational institutions. It can be frustrating, but as you have done, we must continue to try to get this type of student to see the importance of being prepared both in school and in the workplace.
Patricia
the student I find the most challenged by is the constant talker and giggler.the first thing I do is look at the student.this sometimes works and nothing happens after. If it continues, at break or lunch I ask the student to speak with me for a moment. I then ask the student for his/her help. It is amazing , they ask how can I help, I then ask them to please help me help them be appart of this class because your success relies on you being part of a team. And right now it is this team that needs your help. It's great.
The unprepared student os the most frustrating for me. In a technical school, the assumption is that these students know what they want to do and thus more motivated. When that is not the case, it can be very disconcerting. I have had to go one on one with that student to bring them up to speed and to reiterate what I expect from them.
Hi Bernard,
The best way to win those indifferent students over is to try extremely hard to build a rapport with them. Once a rapport is built, the indifferent student normally changes for the better.
Patricia
The student that is indifferent to what is going on. Even when a question is asked directly to that student the reply is usualy the minimal. I find when I cant reach the student in class, I will talk to the student indavidualy and find some common ground. By knowing the student and gaining their cofidance They will interact better in class.Many times these student will continue to stop in and visit after they have left my class.
Hello Leonardo,
We as educators must be super motivators. We have to sell our students on coming back to class the next day. Actually, we are the best salespeople in the building. I like to use the saying, Part II is tomorrow.
Patricia
Hi James,
It is so frustrating as collegian educators that we have to spend our time like this with unmotivated students. It saddens me whenever I encounter this type student. I too give a similar lecture as yours. If we can change one student for the better, then the lecture is not done in vain. We as educators must continue to be encouraged.
Patricia
Hi Jerry,
You're right, it is good to let students know what's in it for them. I have a PowerPoint presentation for every course that I teach focusing on what's in the course for them. Students get really excited about the course on Day 1. I show the PowerPoint presentations on Day 1 of each grading period.
Patricia
The challenge I see most often is the loss of motivation. We try to get students motivated through an orientation seminar. We talk about the light at the other end of the tunnel. Not all students react to this so also try to WIFM. Another strategy that I like to his is by showing them the value in what they are doing.
The students that treat this educational environment in the same manner as they did in high school (talking during presentations, sleeping in class, constantly late or leaving early, skipping class and lab time, not participating in class or lab exercises) are the most challenging for me. To help those types of students stay on track I devote a good of time the first day of class reinforcing the reasons they chose to come to this school. I try to explain the difference between public school, which they were required to attend, and private school, which is what they chose to attend, and what it will mean to them when they ultimately go out and begin working in this field. I also explain what advanced training can mean to their wage earning potential. For those students who are particularly stubborn or find it hard to change bad habits, I give them some sort of extra responsibility in the classroom or lab to keep them focused.
One traight that is challanging is the inattentive student.When a vast majority of you students are engaged and excited in the information you are delivering with the exception of one or two students i try to get them involved with the material buy trying to find the whats in it for them and then they will see the inportance of the info and helps them relate to a senario that they are comfortable with
Hi Richard,
Sometimes these type students ask questions for attention as well as to let other students know how much they know about the subject matter. You are right, it can be the case where they want vailidation for everything. The way you handle these type students is perfect.
Patricia
Hi Robert,
Isn't that the truth--who knows it all? You really have to break these students down firmly, yet professionally so that they become humble.
Patricia
I used to struggle with students that would ask an unusual amount of questions regarding subjects they should already know. However, I began to realize that they generally know the answers but lack confidence in themselves and want validation. I have found that rather than answer the question, assist them in working through what they are asking and give them a few scenarios for them to ponder. Then they will find out that they either knew the answer already or at least learned some problem solving skills on how to find an answer. I have also found that some students that ask a lot of questions are doing so because of habbit. Maybe it is due to lack of ambition or just because of how they were raised. It is clear to me they already know the answer but the student just feels the need to ask. I generally have learned to take the same approach and reinforce the fact that they already know the answer. Once I am comfortable with my evaluation of the student, the student and I will have a brief discussion about my obserevation that leads to the student becoming more of a self thinker. In addition, the student learns to only ask questions that he or she truly feels needs to be asked.
the most challenging student is the one who claims to already know all of the material being presented. usually a few direct and very technical questions to these students will remind them that they are here to learn, and they really don't know it all....after all..who does know it ALL?
Hi Charles,
It baffles me to see a student not want to participate in a class activity. It makes me wonder how agressive/assertive he or she is going to be in the workplace. I too have a serious, firm conversation with the student about his or her lack of participation, and the effects of the lack of participation in class and in the workplace. After a good conversation with the student, if the student is serious at all, I generally see an immediate turnaround.
Patricia
