Get Your Students Hired
I think this is another F2F thing that is easier, as we can usually "see" what generation folks are from. I find that the Intros allow us a bit of insight into what generation we are working with.
As I am a Baby Boomer, who prefers to work alone I can work with more than one generation a bit easier than some I have spoken with, however [with that said] I am not sure I am doing a great job online of helping each at their level. Can anyone share a strategy they are using in their online class to ensure they are easily accepted by any generation? Or can anyone share how they are determining what generations they are working with?
I look forward to your responses.
Thanks
kam
Karen,
Oh I agree totally. We have to hold the students accountable and help them strive to be better and not rehash old habits. That will benefit them in the business world. Thanks!
Depends on the class, but size starts at around 60 and within 2 weeks is at around 30 due to natural attrition in first term classes.
No there is no option of doing extra credit or grading for a portion of the class that is not a graded element. In one of the schools I work for there is no leverage for the instructor, which minimizes the work of the students who are conscientious - though this is just my personal opinion [based on being in this business for over20 years]. Students need to be challenged and held accountable, or they tend to fall into old patterns of not putting school high on the list of important things to get done.
Karen,
1-4 our of how many? Can you give assignments in class that only those who are there will get credit for?
Just wondering. Thanks!
Maybe if more than 5 students came to the classes, but they are not required and I usually have 1-4 students in each.
Karen and Rachelle,
Thank you for your comments. We do have to think carefully about what we take on and how to handle all of our responsibilities. Thanks!
Karen,
I require Webcams in a course I teach even though the institution doesn't require them. There are certain courses/students that benefit more from Webcams than others. Thanks!
Thanks for your insights Rachelle, unfortunately as an adjunct working for several schools it is tough to keep up with doing all things for all schools.
I find that as an adjunct that works best when you are working FT elsewhere and not counting on this as your FT employment. I know I am not the only "FT adjunct" out there, however feel that the term "adjunct" is loosely interpreted by many schools as I am constantly in meetings during the day and dealing with tons of busywork that takes away from me being able to spend sufficient time with students without working numerous hours. Some schools post a "time line" of how time should be spent however I have yet to figure out how to handle 50+ students in 5-10 minutes..... :-(
Thanks for your comments.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
kam
Yes, but I am not looking forward to the required webcam work some schools are now moving towards. I believe that online students generally want to work at their pace and not have to be in a class or feel as though they have "missed" class (when schools say it is "not required, but recommended").
Online, should be what it began as, on a students time...allowing instructors to work with students rather than be caught up in the busywork.
jmho
(Just my humble opinion)
kam
Rachelle and Kam,
I like to have students write a paragraph (mini-bio) too. And, I do it myself to introduce myself to them. I do learn a lot about the students that way. Thanks!
Kam:
Reading through everyone's bio helps and provides some insight into the generation someone is in. If someone says they graduated from HS 30 years ago I pretty much know they are a Baby Boomer. If someone says that they have been out of HS for five years I know they are a Gen Y. I encourage everyone to do a bio because it does help determine on some level who is in the class.
I have begun to encourage my students to text me and I notice only the Gen Y students do. I try to figure out how best to support each generation and then provide communication tools that will best suit that generation. I have taken several workshops on teaching the generations and I have found that to be helpful as well.
Rachelle