Juan--
Talking about your experiences and fears as a student is great. I am sure they appreciate your candid discussion.
Susan
Stephen--
This is a perfect example of how students feel they are 'behind' the rest of the class. Great job in taking that fear away by recognizing it up front.
Susan
On the First day I let the students know what will be expected of them and that If any of them start having any doubts or issues that it should not be a reason to quit. I have been able to save some students who ask for help, but they have to ask! As a former student I tell them the fears that I had and how to deal with them.
On occasion, students will approach me to tell me that they have never performed any of the tasks that are required in my course. To help reduce this fear, during day one presentation, I address the fact that the information that the class will be receiving will more than likely be the the first time anyone will have been exposed to this area. While there are a variety of backgrounds of the students, this course will be a challenge equally for all. This kind of alleviates the fear that some students are more accelerated and that others will be lost.
Thomas--
Awesome! Your genuine concern for them as people and in preparing them for on-the-job success (not just a grade, as you point out) comes through loud and clear. Kudos!
Susan
This is a good point. Success breeds success. Each of those simpler tasks is also a stepping stone to a more challenging task made easier by breaking it into bite sized bits.
Starting with with simpler tasks to help build confidence and gradually increasing difficulty over a period of time
(I teach Automotive Air Conditioning) I help students understand how easy it will be to suceed in my class if they will only show up and participate. I let them know that there are no test questions that I will not prepare them for, I let them know that I will make myself available before class, at break, at lunch, and after class if they need help. I let them know that my success is dependant upon theirs. My goal is for all of them to successfully complete my course, which means more than just getting a good grade but actually leaving the class equipped to diagnose and repair air conditioning systems. I care about their success and I let them see this.
(I teach Automotive Air Conditioning) I help students understand how easy it will be to suceed in my class if they will only show up and participate. I let them know that there are no test questions that I will not prepare them for, I let them know that I will make myself available before class, at break, at lunch, and after class if they need help. I let them know that my success is dependant upon theirs. My goal is for all of them to successfully complete my course, which means more than just getting a good grade but actually leaving the class equipped to diagnose and repair air conditioning systems. I care about their success and I let them see this.
Carl--
The idea of using a calendar to break down your class is interesting. Do you also encourage them to use the calendar to gain some time management skills of their own?
Susan
Rick--
This is really an excellent example of helping students succeed. Congratulations!
Susan
I make it a point to talk about breaking down the objectives of the course into smaller pieces. And with a calendar, I show them the timeline for each piece which will build to the end goal(s) for the course. When they have success in the first few classes, they begin to realize what they can accomplish.
Carl
I begin strengthening the student/instructor relationsip during the first day of the class. Course curriculum is discussed, then I ask a few simple questions (though rhetorical in nature)-
Why are you here? What propted you to enroll in my class? and finally, I begin to break the fear of failure syndrome by stating that I will always be there for them if the need arises. Their confidence level is addressed by relating the fact that I too had doubts if I would succeed when I was in their shoes, and via determination, anyone can be a success if they believe in themselves. During the course I anticipate questions that may arise, though the students may not have the fortitude to ask. This establishes a trust that endures even after the student passes the course, and returns, sometimes months after to say they appreciated the class, and how they have adopted the suggestions I put forth while they attended my class. Some have addressed my class after they have graduated giving the students a "heads up" on how important my class is, and how much they need the information I cover when they enter the working world.
Dennis-
It certainly sounds like you have a great program. The team building is an excellent way to break down the barriers.
Susan
Currently activities such as Meet Three People where the students are asked to meet three people with the same colored hair as theirs while we have up beat music playing on the backround allowing time for them to greet one another pause then ask them to meet two people their same height and so on leading to a final discussion finishing the sentence "My career goal is?"
Create Race Teams- Teambuilding giving them four tasks they need to complete as a team.
Sally--
Involving current students is an excellent idea. I bet they enjoy it and I know the new students probably appreciate the opportunity to get the 'inside scoop'!
Susan
Dennis---
Your online learning center sounds very interesting. Is this a database of resources? How does it work?
Susan
Robert--
You make a very important observation here about the attitude of our current generation. Failure isn't really something that is a motivator so much because, as you point out, they haven't really experienced the consequences of that.
On the job, however, failure has real consequences. It is our responsibility to try and acquaint them with those realities.
Susan
I haven't actually been part of an NSO but I do know that the institution I work for sets it up where our current students get involved on the day of the NSO. The current students are in charge of helping with campus tours and they also have a session where they describe their experiences and accomplishments while attending school.
We address the multiple tutoring opportunities such as our on-line learnig center available at school and from home, Instructor held study sessions and reviews, student and instructor tutoring. Explain that we have a one test retake policy and the requirements needed to qualify for this opportunity. Initiate an open class room discussion of their expectations from this class.
