Learning Styles
I find that the new generation of students starting school (culinary and pastry) for the most part have little desire to take on their reading assignments. They do enjoy all the hands-on work we do in class. How can I get my class to do the necessary assignments that will in the end, help them understand the big picture? Keep in mind, most of these students are straight out of high school.
Hi Paul - Welcome to ED 103! Do you assign points for the reading assignments? You might also want to try to use the reading assignments as a scavanger hunt. Give them some bits of information that they will need to find in their reading in order to answer some questions. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career!
I always remind students that doing the reading will help them better understand the material when they come to class and put the ideas into practice. I make sure to emphasize the importance of being prepared and not going in blind. It's still a struggle to get them to do it, but the ones who really want to learn might crack open the book for more than just the homework assignments.
I find it hard for my students to complete reading assignments as well; I tell them they are going to be tested even if I do not talk about it-most of the time this does not work because it is an idle threat on my part.
I agree!
I'm at a culinary school too!
In our cooking classes (as opposed to our academic classes) 90% of our assessments are hands on.
though we do require reading, and in some classes there is lecture- students get evaluated on how their final product is.
we do get a lot of students out of high school, especially in the summer months. It's always amazing to see the difference in the "study levels" of the different types of students we get.
I've noticed that the older, 2nd/3rd career students are more studious- actually do the reading/ homework etc. Maybe it is because of their fear to fail? Or because they have already done the college thing, and know what they have to do in order to succeed?
In my class- there are 2 written papers that are due. After the first "go around" I realized that students of the younger generation need more guidence on properly written papers- (I think due to the large amount of technology that's out there) and I have to be extremely specific on the guidelines for the papers.
But..... it is a culinary school. We are there to teach the how to become a chef- and since it is such a hands on career- our education has to mirror that.
Hi Jennifer- Thanks for your post to the forum. I think that adult students are generally more organized and have better time management skills and follow directions to a greater degree than do the 18 yr. olds. They are better at completing projects/assignments in a timely manner. Best wishes- Susan
