academic stagnation
Many times students feel as though no matter how hard they apply themselves they can never be as effecitve as others.Some pose limited learning capabilities(comprehension issues). Trying to make them feel competent amidst their fellow students has been a challenging task.
Thomas, do you find any routinely recurring problematic paradigms? Have you developed a way to change them?
When talking to our applicants, I stress that there is an arc to the curriculum that allows them to "learn to swim in the shallow end, before heading into deep water." However ours is a student body of people aspiring to demonstrate "a talent" and the subjective power of paradigms is a formidable obstacle.
Stephanie, do you share your experience with your students? Some may benefit from knowing how you persevered.
Yes,I see that the adult learners compete with other students as if in high school. This can add more stress to their life if they have not learned and applied the principle of not comparing themselves with others. If they could realize that each one of them are unique individuals, one of a kind, and they can learn from one another. Those students should know that they are free to be themselves with others, as long as they remain professional. So therefore, they can learn at the pace and method that I best for them as long as they have the initiative to keep focused, to work hard and to stay diligently they can end up successful like the other student. What took others two years to accomplish, it took me three years but I had to be determined, I had to endure and I had to keep focused on what I was doing and was going to do and not on other students unless we were working in a group. Learning does continue even after this when they get their new job. So as an Instructor, I will work hard with the student to achieve their goal at whatever pace or method it takes them (or me because I'm not perfect either. Ha!Ha!).
You're right, Pam, but that's a better problem to have than helping students overcome the belief that they are unable to succeed.
Some students who are A personality set higher expectations on themselves to the point that they may never be able to achieve. As an instructor it is my job to help those become successful and allow for mistakes and learn from the mistakes not beat themselves up if they get an A- or B.
Lynn, do you ever celebrate this event in the classroom? It might be interesting to make the epiphany a teaching moment.
We have always emphasized that the "light comes on" at different times and towards the end of the program...everyone catches up.... we like to relate our own experiences for when our light came on.
Don't you think students know that there is a skill continuum, Dahlia? It seems the challenge is to help them understand that there is also a continuum of expectations from employers and there will be an opportunity for them in the field even if they aren't the best at the tasks.
