The advantage i have is i was a student at this same college. So some of my personal history at the school and the great experiences i had as well as the advantages the school has provided me to be successful in my career.
i guess you could call this a motorcycle college,
maybe i could enhance the deprogramming process,where i find that a few students have been made to feel uneasy about their surroundings. whether it be from total lack of
knowledge of subject, or being confronted by a person, who for the first time in their life have been given a position of power, and has not a clue how to use it.
in the afformentioned process, i would make sure the students would be comfortable in the fact that the instructor(myself), does know the subject, and make them aware that the majority of staff are very professional.
Mark--
These are all excellent points. Isn't it interesting how there is this anti-rule mentality these days? Pointing out that you, too, have to follow the rules and inviting them to point out when you are not is a great environment.
Susan
A big problem area for the age group of students that I usually draw is the topic of rules and regulations. I have found that when you explain how the rules benefit the students personally they tend to lose the us against them feelings. I also state that I too have to follow the same rules and we should work together to keep in line with the rules. I make it a point to the students to point out to me when I am not following rules just as I will point out to them a violation and that way we can as a team avoid getting noticed by outsiders. They love the idea of making a team effort of it. We also thank each other when the opportunity arises that we are in violation and are corrected by a member of the team. Hey Mr K. your name tag is missing.... Thank you Kyle I didn' remember to put it on today. Thank God you saw it because if my boss saw it I would have to answer to him. I really becomes respectful.
To break the ice for a new class I give them a brief synopsis of my background and why I wish I had had the opportunity to go to a class such as this prior to starting my career. This seems to help in the worrisome thought area of whether they have made the right decision to enroll in the school,disrupting their lives as they know it and making a big committment.
We get the chief instructors to visit the class and provide them with more indepth information and then allow them to ask question they might have that pertains to them.
Alvin--
Great idea! Cookouts are always welcome and because of the structure really force interaction among all types of people. I especially like that you include your current students.
Susan
During the first week of the new start we implement a student appreciation day. we utilize differt themes and prepare food accordingly.Our last activity was an old fassioned ccok out with hamburgers and hot dogs, for not only the new student but the entire college. This allowed new and old students to get aquainted. We also had the faculity attend so they could interact with the students in a non class room atmosphere.
That is a great idea for the first day. I would love to see our Management team in the classroom. We do have a welcome team on day 1, but after that, not much.
Louis--
Excellent points. We sometimes forget what those moments of first being on our own where like. Often hard lessons learned! If we can somehow help them figure those things out with less turmoil, all the better!
Susan
If a student is in our Associate programs, the students have a Campus Resource project in their first Academic class. This project has different student groups assigned to different departments to find out who works in the department as well as services provided in each department. Students will interview the department and provide a PowerPoint presentation in front of their classmates.
As for what process we could implement might be going back to having Club Rush where students can meet the Club Advisors and join.
Getting to know student's names, welcoming students to the school, making sure that all questions and concerns are answered. Familiarizing students with our department and how we can assist them.
I try to somewhat comfort the new students, we have to remember for some of our students this is their first time away from home, some have never cooked a meal or done laundry or had to be responsible for the day to day function of life for themselves. Although they have heard probably on one or two prior occasions I like to restate how our school in vested in their success. I remind students of our support services and that they are not alone and that we can offer assistance as long as they come to us and let us know. We will post and announce car pooling opportunities if needed, help in finding an apartment and/or roommate, Food pantry, etc. I just let them know that they are not alone and if the going gets tough there is someone here to help them.
We do this as well. This lets the student know there are more instructors to help and guide them in a given subject.
We have a one on one meeting with the Chef instructor and student to get to know them. Also, I like to try to make one phone call a day to a student to see how they are doing.
Susan, I deal mainly with students as they are on their way out of the school. Specifically there last 6 weeks. I still like to keep them focused and positive during this time by spending time talking about their future after they leave school....job leads ect....
As well as positive reinforcement from my own successes as I am a graduate of the same program. I feel this helps keep them connected to our program (trade school non college).
Karl--
Small group and hands-on activities are great to engage the students. I also like the fact you use those opportunities to get to know them individually.
Susan
In online courses, I emphasize expectations, objectives and assignments blended with admin information that the student needs to feel comfortable in the classroom and in the university. I also have an open forum discussion board for students to post information questions or concerns throughout the course. I emphasize its use early in course to get some of the “housekeeping” out of the way. I revisit the classroom orientation the entire first week to ensure smooth sailing and to make sure the newer students are assimilated.
Make your students feel welcome by talking to them about their goals and future plans.
Doing more group hands-on and or lab type activities. It gets the students more involved and it allows me to converse and interact more on a one-on-one basis with students.
