Elizabeth Brown

Learning style preferences should be taken into account when developing lessons and review.  However, lessons should also promote their potential encounters in the workplace.  Using a combination of structured lectures, outlined lesson plans/schedules, and discussions that pull from the unique student backgrounds will enhance student learning and retention. 

Response time from instructors can motivate both high and low performers in their learning and completion of assignments.  Learning is a group effort so using terms such as "we" or "our" makes the learning a community activity so students feel less isolated in their experience.  Letting students know it is okay to… >>>

Students require understanding and in order to achieve this it is vital that we know and appreciate their point of view.  Money is a driving force from all perspectives.  Students are using loans and other resources to invest in their future so that they may attain a career that promotes a higher salary. Money attracts students to institutions because there is the resources for prominent faculty, current equipment/resources, and up to date curriculum. 

Advising is the single piece that involves both parties.  Advising can prevent student attrition but also give the student value to what they are investing.  When good… >>>

People need to feel heard in order to feel valued.  Students are people learning new concepts and techniques and will make mistakes.  Hearing their needs and concerns is important but more importantly addressing their needs fully can only be done by truly listening and understanding their point of view.  Their perspective on the situation should be validated wholly before they are redirected to the situation as a whole or that another perspective is brought up. This is part of the learning process and as instructors we need to bring this concept to practice. 

Students may view themselves as customers spending a large amount of money for a piece of paper.  While preferences and learning styles should be taken into account, instructors know what the students needs are more often than the students realize. By only listening to the students needs and preferences, we are depriving them of an experience that prepares them for their future careers.  Respect, appreciation, and guidance are the underlying themes that both types of "customers" require for a successful relationship.