Jill,
What are some of the things you do to help your students who do not bring these HABEs to your classroom to develop these HABEs?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Here are some of the traits of a successful student:
1.Attend your classes. If you skip class you will miss out on essential information and the chance to ask questions.
2. Ask questions. Communicate in class or make an appointment with the teacher to talk to them privately.
3. Read your material. It is important to read the material that the teachers give you; they give it to you for a reason. Academic reading is different than reading for pleasure. If you need it, take a course to improve your college/academic reading skills.
4. Do your homework. It sounds easy enough, but when you get busy with life and school, homework gets pushed back when it shouldn’t. You and your family must make your studies a priority.
5. Get involved in campus life. Whether you are in a club or are participating in campus activities, involvement can help you in your classes as well because you have a sense of belonging to school and it is fun to be there. Not all learning occurs in the classroom!
6. Take advantage of campus resources. Resources, such as the Math Lab, Tutoring, Career Counseling, and other support services can be invaluable, and most of them are free or covered by your student fees.
7. Balance your home life, work and school. Take a manageable class load and create a personal schedule for yourself. Time is a finite resource! It's up to you to use it wisely.
Kristina ,
Thanks for sharing this post. "Know it all" students can be leveraged for the benefit of their classmates. The trick is to not let the student dominate or take the course down a winding path when a straight path is available and effective.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I have a very difficult older student who "knows" everything. A challenge to say the least. What I have found is that when my student stops the noncritical thinking challenge, I am really able to give her tremendous praise, which she seems to crave. Her behavior then calms down. We even have roundtables where we are able to openly praise each other, especially with medical scenarios. It's amazing to see how they do improve with this approach. Not just that but all of HABE. I loved this course. More need to take it. It puts a great deal into perspective.
Yes, many students have many obstacles in their past habits that keep them from succeeding.
It is important to mentor them and many times pair them off in class with a more successful student so they are exposed to positive habits.
Abundio,
Thanks for this post. How do you help students who do not naturally have these HABEs to develop them?
Jeffrey Schillinger
What separate them from the rest of the student, they show early sign of respect, resourceful, self reliance, tidy and pro active. Willing to work whatever, anything and everything.
Laura,
We used to call this "catching students doing something right." It is important.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I always look for something good in each student, give them poitive feedback. Some of these students have never heard anyone say anything good about them. Show them you believe in them!
I start from from day one sharing the success vision. From the first project that is made to the next, I show the students that everything is a stepping stone to the next. The foundation has to to solid to build upon. Keep the focus on where you are going & every day you are taking the necessary steps to get there. Not every project to going to be a perfect creation. The students are there to learn & mistakes will be made Sometimes by the students making the mistake, the instructor puts a positive spin on it & suddenly the mistake beome a learning experience that the student will never forget. Basically turning a failure into a success & at the same time building confidence.
They are engaged in class, take notes during demos, and don't have side conversations.
Getting to class early, voluteering for charity to gain practice and network. Asking questions in class, and being engaged.
Encouragement because a lot of students have a difficult home life and coming to school should be an up building experience.
I have found that by giving attention to students who are new at the school or course greatly improves their habe's. They see what other students are doing and they want to accomplish the same thing and then their beliefs change. I always have them create a vision for themselves of being on stage and graduating even though it may be years away but they do get there.
I agree with this statement. We also have to lead by example.
Susan,
What are some specific things you do to try to develop the HABEs you describe in the studentudent who do not come to you already pocessing them?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My most successful students are all willing to learn, even if it's not easy. This attitude of effort and trying really distinguishes them. My unsucessful students typically fall into patterns of excuses. My most successful students seem to fully understand that life affords them a 1000 excuses for not finishing school, but they do it anyway.
Anita,
Good work! Please keep doing these things.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Yes. I observe the students during group discussions and "lectures". If someone seems uninterested or does not participate I will approach them during break and casually talk to them to get a sense of where they are.
Also, I immediately talk to students who get a low B or below on their quizzes/tests to determine what the reason for the low grade was (didn't understand the material, didn't study, didn't comprehend, etc)
Anita,
Do you also proactively reach out to selected students in lieu of waiting for students to reach out to you? If so, under what circumstances?
Jeffrey Schillinger
