I would offer some encouragement and reassurance that we [as students] are in this together and can support one another. I would also let the student know that their is assistance available at the school if needed.
I would ask what topic they are having the most difficulty with. With some probing questions maybe I could find the issue and point them in a new way of looking at it or present the problem to the class and see if they can come up with a simpler way of presentation.
I would try a couple of tactics to the address this situation:
1) I would respond to all students on this thread and acknowledge how we can all feel overwhelmed in a new program/course. I would offer supportive advice on how we might overcome these feelings.
2) I would send a personal email to Learner 1 reaffirming the above information and offer to have a one-on-one coaching session to make sure they have the information and support they need and to also answer any questions they may have related to their course work.
I would respond to Learner 1 with a personal email and mention that I had read some of the emails and express my concern. I would ask Learner 1 to share their frustrations and see how I could help Learner 1 be successful in the course.
It sounds as if that Learner 1 is overwhelmed by the workload and alienated . The Learner 1 statements indicate to me that he is reaching out for some support.
I usually place a Q&A forum in my courses to address students that need additional support with the course concepts. Most students that are having trouble grasping the course material will use the Q&A forum to reach out for support, not only to myself as the facilitator, but also to fellow students. Generally, there will always be a few students that will provide that help for another in need.
In addition to the Q&A forum, I believe Learner 1 could use some constant contact from the facilitator, either through instant messaging, or through email.
I would first attempt to build her confidence by offering support and encouragement to the student, letting her know "You can do it!". I would then ask the student if there is a specific area in which she feels particularly inadequate. Based on her answer, I would offer helpful feedback, tips and suggestions on ways in which she can become stronger in that area. Most importantly, I would let the student know that I am rooting for her success and that I am here to help her reach her goals.
I would reach out the student via private e-mail or phone call - offer my support and and take time to dig a little deeper to see what the root cause of the problem was. Then I would help the student problem solve and put together a plan for success, making sure to share what resources were available through the college for their use and make those resources part of that success plan. I would then make sure that we set up times where we would touch base in order to make sure that the student felt supported.
I generally have several students who come into our certification program with fears of failure, not measuring up, and letting me down as well as themselves and those closest to them. I try to start by engaging them to remember why they came to the program in the first place. I remind them of their goals and lead them to remember everything that they hope to achieve.
It further helps if these types of students are encouraged to join in on the discussion by sharing a related learning experience and providing positive feedback for their contribution.
I would reach out to the learner directly - ideally via a telephone conversation. I would explain to the student that I noticed her comments, and was concerned that she might feel like she is struggling with the class. I would offer my assitance in any way she felt she needed, such as helping to understand key concepts or tutoring. Sometimes just explaining to a student why we are learning what we are, can help them understand it and be more motivated. The important thing is to not allow the student to be "scared" by the course content. I would do whatever I can to put the content in a different context and make things more applicable, such as "real-world" scenarios.
I would post a general announcement...
"Class, remember that I am available with my office hours to help you if you are having a difficult time with the concept / theories in the classroom. I am here to help. But, if you do not reach out to me, I will not be able to help and I do want to see you succeed!"
Then I would send a private message to Learner 1.
Offering my support and tips for success.
Janis
1st I would review as much of the learner 1 past academic progress to see learn as much about where they have had success and or struggles in the past.
2nd I would review as much in the current course re learner 1 to gain further insights into this student.
3rd I would send an email to student letting them know that I am available to assist in their learning and offer some examples of resources I can provide.
4th I would post on the bulletin board all of the academic resources available to all students re torturing, counseling, etc that can help in their academic success
5th I would follow up with an email to learner 1 inviting them to a private chat to discuss the course, where they feel they may need help so that we can put together a plan of action for success.
I would then respond accordingly based on learner 1 response.
Edwin,
Connecting with the students and letting them know you care and are there to help is a great first step. That may be all they need to get refocused and back on track in the course. At the very least they know you are there and willing to help them.
Herbert Brown III
In any of these situations if the student needed help He didn't know where to find it. I make it a point on many occasions to encourage students to contact their instructor whenever they need help.
Learner 1 needs an email from the instructor to find out what areas he is having trouble with and provide advice on how to use the discussion area to pose questions or describe what he knows about the concept, which will generate feedback from other students and the instructor. He may find out that he understands more than he thought he did.This student may only be participating by posting responses to other students and providing nothing original of his own.
Some of his difficulties may be due to time management where he feels that he can only work on the course while logged in online. I encourage students to work offline and only log in when they need to read/post discussions, view presentations, submit assignments and take tests, etc.As an instructor I will convince the student that I care about his ability to succeed in the course.
Rob,
Oftentimes students are reaching out for other reasons than that which they are mentioning. Any time you can reach out to students in a personal way and determine what is really going on, you will be able to connect with them and keep them going.
Herbert Brown III
It sounds like the student is feeling alienated and overwhelmed. The bright point is that the program is a lifetime dream for her. I would encourage the student to keep that dream alive and that passion strong. I would also tell him or her to work on each assignment without worrying about what's ahead. Each assignment will provide some knowledge or skill that will bring that dream one step closer.
Wayne ,
These are good points, the point in the course and the student performance to this point could certainly impact the overall response and understanding of what is really going on. However, there is definately something going on with the student that needs to be addressed.
Herbert Brown III
I think it would be important to consider the posts in the context of over-all performance and at what point in the course the posts were made. If near the start of the course and the student has not submitted any work it may be appropriate to reach out offering one-to-one assistance. The email would need to be encouraging and reassuring. It would also need to ask for specific information: “Can you help me understand what specific concept you are struggling with?†“I’m sure you do in fact have good ideas, let me help you present them effectively.†“Can you help me understand what is making you feel overwhelmed?†It is important to ask the questions in a non-accusatory way.
If it is later in a course and the student has not submitted assignments, presumably as the instructor I have contacted the student already and my responses would build on those previous offers of help.
Kurt,
You mentioned posting it in a thread. Would you address this in a public forum or handle it privately?
Herbert Brown III
I would reach out by phone, or by e-mail asking them to call me. A personal one on one, informal type chat with a slight leading to the discussion and the concerns would aid me in tailoring the discussion to their true concerns and allow me to offer personal experience and suggestions.
My experience leads me to believe that an e-mail or quick chat in a thread might not be enough to prevent the student from an inevitable downward spiral.
Kurt "Trip" Bauer
One of the things I do, week one, is to establish the guidelines for posts to our discussion. My guidance is that all posts need to be substantive.
Substantive: student needs to ask him/herself, how does my post contribute to our understanding or dicussion of the topics in this unit
So, I have already set the guidelines, and if students stray from them, then I can remind them privately in emails that they need to keep their responses on track.
But I would also need to state something publicly in the forum to learner one, so that other students know I am there and concerned.
Something like: Hi learner one, I am sorry to read that you are struggling. I have just emailed you; let's be sure to follow up. OK?
Lyn
