I also have found that the line between help and carrying the student is different for each student's situation, and what might be too much for one is not enough for the next student. It seems to be a learning process for staff and faculty as well.
I do all I can to help students with their problems. From lending them tools or advice when they are dealing with car problems. Personal problems, I give them advice if I have the qualification or expertise with that problem, if not I point them in the right direction. It is very important when helping them is not to take on their problems and maintain that distance from getting too involved with their personal life.
I would say there is...obviously, if the instructor is doing the work for them, that's not a helpful situation. At the end of the day, students will be required to do the tasks on the job where they will need to understand how to do it independently. In the classroom is the place they get to practice mastering the skill, which means their will be mistakes and the instructor is their to facilitate their learning.
It is important that we give them as many opportunities to learn the information in an environment that supports them without doing the work for them the entire time.
Susan
