getting involved
I had the occassion at one time when I was in
early awaitng for my class to start,while I was
walking around the lab I overheard a student
telling another student he was going to quit
because ther was no way he would be able to pass
the practical exam he wasgoing to take in a
couple of days.I question him as to why he felt
this way and he simply said I know I cant do it.
after going through the steps of what would be
required I said you have nothing to loose if you
attempt the exam if you feel that strongly about
leaving. Probably not the best approach,but he did attemp the exam and did very well i the 80%
range.He decided to continue his Education and
graduated a year later.This student is working
in his field of study today.
I of heard students say that they are not good enough to do this. I try to talk to these students and tell them not to think so negeative about themselves, I will ussually ask them acouple questions to show them that they know alot more than they think they do and tell them to think positive and positive things will happen.
in strange situations i turn practice into a game , sometimes it really helps
I always let the student know that we are all equal and incourage them in anyway you can to get the job done no matter how hard the task when you are done it is worth doing.
Getting involved is or has to be the number one priority with students this is on way to earn your students trusts. Ask if you can be of any help have the students opened up and get involved.
I also listen to students conversations about a lack of food. When they break for lunch I hold the door open as they pass thru and if someone is trying to borrow lunch money and hasen't eaten all day, I will offer some cash and ask if they would mind helping an old man out by picking something up from the lunch wagon and get something for themselves. Sometimes I will have a contest with food as the prize. This way they don't feel I am giving them a handout.
I also help the students here at our school. I try to watch and listen for comments as I walk down the halls and in the classroom. I will ask if a student can stay after class to discuss a subject, then I can discuss what I over heard with him or her. I try to help with arrangements for the correct person that could help, or for arrangement for food, or help studies with a tutor. I let them know I do care, and that I keep it away from other people so not to embarrass them. There are so many ways we can help our students, we just need to look for them.
The easiest way to get involved is to challenge a student and then work directly with them to re-enforce it
I overheard two of my studens talking about the fact that they had to sleep on the carpet and that they did not have a bed to sleep on. They were talking about how little sleep they were getting because of that. So I happen to have a couple of beds at home that are in storage and I gave the beds to them, if they get better sleep they should do better in class. I also listen for students that make comments aqbout what they eat from day to day or if they do not eat because of money, I recommend them to go to the student pantry.
The biggest thing is to never feel like your above your students. Always encourage them to do their best, maybe even point out some things that you where worried about once that had a positive outcome.
Sometimes all it takes is just for an instructor or manager to just say "try it ,I know you can do it" for a student to get thinking about it and think yes I can do it. We forget some times that we might be the first Adult to tell them that we have faith in them and that they can do what ever they set there mind to.
I have had simular sitiations and have told students that I can't that dicission for them. I have talked a little more with the student to find out they were doubting themselves, they took the tests anyway.
