Non-Traditional Learners (Life Events)
Non-Traditional learners are greatly affected by what we call "life events" by our campus administrators. The vast majority of non-traditional learners have good intentions and goals about their education, but many of them will never reach their educational goals due to external issues or situations. Usually, related to family, work or lack of thereof or other more personal issues.
My question: Should the instructor show emphaty and try to help the students in reaching their goals by using all tools within the educational organization?
Hi Luis,
Yes, instructors should try and help each student to achieve his/her career goals. The key point is that the help cannot compromise the standards of the business or industry. The college, your program, cannot turn out individuals that are not at the minimum skill/knowledge level expected of a professional in the field. To do so is to cheat the student, who thinks he/she can be successful in the field since they passed the courses even if they didn't acquire the needed knowledge and skills.
Also, your college will soon be out of business since the failure rate of the students will soon get around and employers won't hire graduates from your college.
Gary
Hello Dr. Meers,
I am not considering compromising the college, but rather to have the organizational knowledge that will enable the instructor to direct the student(s)to the correct source within the institution in order to get assistance.
For example by knowing the inner workings of financial aid I had been able to direct students through the application process for various grants and scholarships. Students are happier and I had gained their respect, admiration, and more important their attention during lectures.
Hi Luis,
Thank you for that additional insight. I agree the more you know about the workings of the different student offices plus community resources you can do a better referral. I frequently make referrals for my students to community based groups that can help them with counseling, shelter, etc. I try to attend community organization fairs where there are booths set up explaining what each group does. By spending a few hours wandering through the booths and talking with the reps I get a lot of material and information that is valuable to my students. In support of your effort we all know that students will confide more quickly to an instructor than to someone they don't know as well so we serve as a very vital link between the student and help.
Gary
I believe that the instuctor should always show empathy to students.
Hi Luis,
Empathy is an important characteristic of instructors. With non-traditional students, every term seems to present a new "life event" that instructor address. Understanding that "life happens" will help instructor respect students situation and provide valuable insight to work towards successful completion of the course. Obviously, the student must remain motivated to comply with course requirements.
Luis,
Your so right with the life events. I find my students are really into hearing what we have done and take our lessons learned and using it.
Yes, I think as human beings regardless of what we call ourselves, we have a responsibility to be empathetic towards others. Whether as teachers, instructors, doctors, or whatever profession. EQ skills are widely regarded as being as important as IQ skills.Without, good emotional skills, students and others will suffer on the job or in life. We need to model these skills as much or more than cognitive skills.
yes
instructors shoule show empathy and help as needed. They student is the most importrnt factor and we should use all our resources to help the student suceed
As an adjunct instructor who is teaching part-time while maintaining a full-time career and raising a family, I have found it easy to extend empathy to students in similar situations because I have appreciated the flexibility from authority figures that has been extended to me.
Hi Amanda,
This really does help to relate to students. Also, it lets the students know you understand them because you are dealing with many of the same pressures as they are. So together you all can work toward successful class completion by everyone.
Gary
