Get Your Students Hired
I feel it is important to set high standards in every classroom. Students love to be challenged! When students are engaged and excited about their field, there is nothing more rewarding. Other students who might feel behind in the course still feel this excitement and it feeds off of each other. Now the student body feels as if they are apart of something special. If you can approach the classroom environment with this type of perspective, you will succeed and so will your students.
Dennis, have you observed any correlation between cultural background and learning styles?
We have various types of cultures in our students and all learn at a different pace either didactic or visual learners. We try to always compliment our students no matter what level that they are at.
Cynthia, what do you do in the classroom to discourage cliques? Seems like a good practice to share.
I think assigning group projects help to ease the tension amoung the students. Oftentimes, the students will create cliques (which I strongly discourage cliques), in the career field they seek to join is based on teamwork.
I always tell them "attitude is everything, pick a good one.
Have you used team projects for small groups, Christine? Has requiring students to work collaboratively changed the energy level?
It happens often. It is very difficult to keep a small class engaged when the "chemistry" is not good. One bad attitude will strongly affect the group because of its small size. Although the teacher has more one on one time, I feel that the students begin to not take the class as seriously as they should if they do not get along. It is very important that the energy and responsibility of each person stays positive. Constant reinforcement of the positivity will keep the class going strong and they can focus on being motivated throughout the program.
Very small classes can be very difficult, particularly if there isn't good "chemistry" among the participants. Conversely, small classes offer an opportunity to offer almost individualized instruction and allows independent exploration of the subject - for motivated students.
How often does this happen and why?
Do you find it difficult to create excitement and momentum in very small classes? (3 students or less.)
Justin, do you find that each group of students has a collective personality and may respond differently to your classroom efforts?
It is a compliment to the student to acknowledge their ability to do well & to encourage it.