Ways to identify trouble in a modern student
What are some of the key signs of trouble brewing in a modern student? Could they be withdrawn for a reason? I find that experience counts here, not just in teaching, in people. Pulling from your own experience has always been a good way or drawing from a close friends trails and tribulation. Human first, teacher second is always a good way to teach but never as easy as it sounds. I try to take a step back and view from an outside perception. Look for things like quite, not smiling during good times, excessive phone use, sleepiness or lack of energy. These may be signs of trouble for this young person, but could also be signs of a hard worker. Feel free to ask “small talk” type questions, feel free to get to know your students, you may learn something and even help a few along the way.
I totally agree, too. Once a student respects and believes in you, the more they are comfortable in confiding in you.
I agree! The classroom should feel like a warm, safe environment. I often chat with students during the break. I think making small talk and calling people by their name shows a genuine interest in the student.
I also think students like the security of knowing they can speak to their instructors one on one. Ideally they should set an appointment, but its is also helpful if the students can feel like there is a space they can meet with an instuctor, without an appointment to share an idea or discuss a problem. It makes sense for schools to have this kind of space.
At our new facility, full time instructors don't have this kind of space. I feel this sends a message that the school does not value the instructor enough to provide this....can you just image how the student interprets this??
I agree, I tell students that I was in the same boat they are in now. Being a student myself I could relate to them on their level. I too moved out of state to attend school. By sharing my experience as a student they seem to open up to me and share some of their frustrations. Don’t pry into their business but offer them the key. The key way for help. You have to earn their trust. The first day of each course, I write my E-mail address on the white board and I tell students that if they need to talk, ask questions, are running late or are going to be absent to please let me know and i will keep them up to date.
The term Modern Student I am not sure what has changed? Most of the young people of this generation still have the same concerns and challenges I had 50 some years ago.
I relate some of my experiences and find there the same
It takes commitment to follow through on things. Not just pretend to care but actually question and probe to show it.
I have to agree with everything said here so far. If the student sees the instructor as a mentor and someone he respects he/she will be more open to confide in the instructor with problems that arise in their lives.
Visible difference between the concerned student and the rest of the class. How does he/she compare? Is the student loud, quite, disruptive, asbent often, late and leave early? Even classwork can be used as an indicator to identify a troubled student.
All good. If the instructor is aware of what is happening in his class, he should be able to see any behavior changes in his students. Some try and cover up their feelings and you may miss it but most show their feelings in a way that you will notice.
I also sgree with Ryan, if we act as a human first, what student will see is, an instructor/teacher that cares. We will always be instructors in the students eyes if add the aspect to it we become an instructor that the student can relate to or connect with.
Instructors have to maintain a tough balance point, you must be the point of athority and have that respect at the same time you cannot come across as a dictator to them or they will never open up.
We need to set a class room enviorment that allows are students to be comfortable and to feel that thier instructor is approchable
Yes I agree with you. Reacting to your students first in a way that tells them that your are human first not just a teacher is a plus. This puts most students a ease and allows you to look for signs that could idnify a student that at risk of having problems.
yes Ryan I think you hit it on the head you have to be human first then teacher next and look for signs of problems like you talk about
