retention and expectation
How can we retain students and give them real expectations without scaring them off? I find there's a fine line between expectation and retention and having real expectation without scaring students away has been an issue.
Yes, indeed. There's also a fear of success.
Most of the students have heard through the grapevine that the class is fast-paced with (OMG!) MATH! and some of them give up before class starts. It's not that hard to make a decent grade if they show up and make an honest effort to do the work, but every term, I have students who fail needlessly. It's frustrating and I don't know how to help them.
I have spent entire terms talking students down off of the proverbial ledge, nearly every day, pushing and pulling them to success, and it's exhausting! Do they appreciate it? Sometime yes, sometimes no. They love me later, it seems.
I believe that these students have no models of success in their lives and even though they want to believe they can break the pattern, deep down inside, they don't.
Linda--
It certainly sounds like you do an excellent job of setting real expectations and also supporting the students while they overcome their fears and master the material.
Susan
In the subject area I teach there is a very real fear of failure. There is a lot of material to learn and many students are not aware of what it will take to master the material. They come in believing that the class should be extremely easy and they should do well but they quickly realize how much they have to know and how much they have to do and they are scared. It takes a lot of explaining and giving them specific examples of how they can use this information in the future for their career and most of the time they adapt and everything is fine. You have to be honest with the student. Giving them false hope does not do them much good. It can really backfire and cause more problems.
I've often come across this issue as a challenge. I have begun to step back and remember my first "real" life expectations of school and career. Stepping inside their shoes has helped me grow tremedously.
On the first day I am up front with everything that goes on in the class, and what is expected of them. I dont sugar coat anything, but at the same time give them a realistic definition of the class, and the work that is expected of them. In doing so, i reinforce that it is very possable for everyone to complete the work, as long as they manage their time well. If during the course they fall behind, I give them a structured way to get thier work done. this usually help because a lot of student that I get dont have godd time management skills
Amy--
As you point out, there is always two sides to the coin. Personally, I feel it is incredibly important to let students know the 'reality' of the situation, which isn't always good. If we have that honest conversation, we then also have the opportunity to point out the good.
Susan
Perhaps by showing them the good with the bad. We don't want to be dishonest but there's always good.
Novy--
Great question! I think how the informaiton is presented is important. Setting realistic expectations is critical, but we should also let them know we have confidence they can achieve the required results and that we have services available to help them do so. One thing is certain, if we don't tell them it will be challenging, when it gets 'tough', they will be scared and leave anyway.
Susan
