How student feel about the cources
In some cases it hard to feel sorry for the students when they don't seem to care weather they pass of fail the class that they are taking and even more so it seem that they exspect us to pass them regaurdless. I wonder if our high schools are setting some of these students up for failer or can they even see how much they effect them for thier future.
Great points and questions, Ronald. I hope this sparks a lively response.
Part of the "get it" problem is because of age. What I had in school is no where near what students are facing today. We were EXPECTED to study and pay attention. Current students never had that push, or parental involvement, or teacher intervention that we had "in the day". I've had teachers tell me they "had no time to work with one person because they had 100 other students that needed help. Sorry, that doesn't fly. You work with one class at a time (20 - 25 students) and spend whatever time needed to pull the slower student along while trying to keep the rest of the class interested in the material. That's what makes this a challenging career; no class is the same, no class learns at the same pace. That concept has somehow disappeared over the years. We have turned into a "no one left behind" country and it is showing in the education level of the students; they want everything given to them with no effort on their part.
Be that as it may, pointing fingers doesn't help, we need to provide help for all levels of students and see to it that they understand the material. Where does it leave us when teachers give up and take the easy way out? How can we blame students when they are being trained to think this way?
Instructors can set clear expectations, for not only the course at the school but life as it pertains to career, their future and solutions to challenges as they come up. Instructors can also keep lines of communication open with the students, so that students may be willing to share any challenges as they come up, then help the students by equipping them with the proper support tools.
Guy, do you have any thoughts on why some students don't seem to "get it"? Is it related to age, socio-economic background, skill?
You are correct in saying it is hard to feel sorry for the students when they don't care how their decisions will affect them. I believe some students are lazy and don't care but some can not see the benifit for the long run. No matter how much we talk about or show these benefits some students will not learn until (if) they realize less money,no job,or less advancement. As hard as we all try it is unfortunate that some of these students will have to learn from the "School of Hard Knocks".
No doubt that it's important to learn all aspects of their chosen field. Have you developed any techniques to engage them in subjects outside their primary interest? Do you have graduates come into the classroom to explain the value of having a broad mix of skills?
I have noticed that some of the students feel that they have already made up there mind what area of work they wish to persue. Bodywork, frame, estimator, refinisher,ect... then they lose interest in the other subjects. I think its important to help them understand knowing the other subjects will help them be a better tech. in the field they have chosen.
It is a different world. Any thoughts on how we can teach basic responsibility to this generation?
Charles, do any of your instructors serve as advisers for high school programs? This is one way to make sure they are getting the message about what it takes to succeed at the next level.
That's one thing that I have to keep reminding myself. I have children recently graduated from high school and one about to graduate. Some of the stories I hear coming from them scare me. It's nothing like when we grew up. I see a big difference in the way they are treated and the way we were treated. With one of our's in high school, they could even "buy" points by bringing batteries to the teachers. What kind of responsibility is that? I think we are dealing with that sort of thing all over and we will have to try to figure out how to adapt to it.
