Get Your Students Hired
I am just wondering how some of these tips in this forum could be put into practice. One practice that was talked about was making students stay after class if they were late to class, late in turning in assignments, etc. Are you working with elementary students, high school students, or adult students? At the school where I work at, NONE of the adult students would EVER put up with this practice by teachers and would also run to administration if we were even to enforce it. It seems that the students that we are working with " feel entitled" and always remind instructors of "how much they are paying for this education." They also think that we have an obligation to teach them everything so that they do not have to do any reading on their own and that if they do not "get it" it is our fault. It is not just one teacher who fells this way, but many of the ones that I have talked with feel this way as well. Furthermore, I have noticed a vast difference between students at a career college and those students that I used to work with at a university/state college. SO..what practices can we use with adult students in this case? Thank you in advance for your help.
Hello Cindy:
I really believe in expectatations. The clearer what is expected is conveyed, the more likely students will comply, and fewer occassions of misunderstanding. I think people generally want to follow the rules, as long as they are clear what those rules and expectations are.
Your welcoming lunch sounds like a good idea and is working well for you. Great!
Regards, Barry
Hello Cindy,
I host a welcoming lunch for all incoming students to the program. During the lunch students are advised on several key topics and policies pertinent to the Academy. I always preface the conversation by saying that they are paying a premium dollar for a premium education and must do their part to receive the full value of the education. I make it clear that they are a customer and we will (instructors, administration, student services) do all we can to help with their success.
If your policies and expectations are exceptionally clear you will find success from your students as well as the administrative support you seek.
Hi Nicole:
I think what's important is the sharing of vital or essential information with the student. When that conversation occurs is less important, but sooner than later is always better.
Regards, Barry
I really can't hold anyone after class, they most often have to be in another class immediately following.
Hi Denise:
Much of this has to do with individual institutional policies. As adult students, it seems to me that it is only respectful to the teacher if they ask to speak to a student after a class to discuss their performance.
If it's done as a penalty just to make up time, that seems a bit extreme, I think all activities should be related to the learning objectives.
Regards, Barry
I do not think I would try to hold students after class. This can become impractical for both the student and the instructor. Participation points could be withheld for that day.
Has anyone had a situation where they 'kept' a student after class? I have stayed after to help catch up a student that missed some of the lecture.
Hi Cindy:
I beieve students will participate in direct proporton to to the level of expectations established at the beginning of a course. It may depend on the institution and/or program being taught, but if attendance is to be prioritized, students will have to abide (or leave/separate/terminate/drop...whatever the terminology).
As an anlogy, if my young children are playing in the fenced back yard with gates, I might gently tell them, "now stay in the yard". But when one of them has run into the street, I'm going to be ballistic in reigning them back to safety.
My point is if attendance (or any other assignment or standard) is important, then there can be no deviation from that standard without conequences...which may be separation from the class if the student cannot or will not comply.
It's an expectation. And as stated above, I believe students will behave at the level of expectation set.
Regards, Barry