Student need to see their future
I feel that often a snap shot of the possibilities for the students future may spark some new initiative. Often student need some indications of the payoff, the future benefits, maybe how life could be...
When I start a new class, I try to paint a picture of what can be gained by completing the program. I continue to incorporate the positives throught out the term. They need a little boost here and there to keep their spirits up.
Hi Robert ,
I have to agree with you.
I teach culinary and real life example and really the true life story vision to be able to have them understand that sacrifice and hard work in life always pays off.
Thanks
Lionel
HI Lionel
I have to agree with you but teacher need to explain to student why spending time and sacrifice are important for their future
Eric Andre
students love getting to know more about the instructor and what accomplisments the instructor has made in the given field. It shows them that its possible for anyone to realize their goals, if they put the work into it.
Loren ,
Students react well when they see their teacher as a "similar other," which is what you describe here.
Jeffrey Schillinger
In my last block I had a student with a very short temper. This would create problems with his work and his attitude towards it. I took him a side one and explain to him that his work was really good and he need to leave his temper out of the classroom or kitchen for that matter. I told him to treat the kitchen as his sanctuary, a place were all his problems will cease to exist and were he would come to do what he liked.
At the end of the course the student told me that he had thought of dropping many times, and that my words and enlightment is ehat kept him coming back.
Enrique,
Well done. Some teachers would have taken the student's anger as an afront. You took the time to make a difference.
Jeffrey Schillinger
We as instructors and industry specialists can highlight our ownexperiences to show what is possible for new students. I also use examples of the success of my former students to show what is possible in my current students near future a goal a little closer in time.
I love to paint the picture, I also challenge them to be the next hot thing, that gets them excited and shows my faith in their potential.
I talk to the students about my challenges in both college and my career. I let them know as the "new kids" at work they may encounter the negative people in the profession but to maintain their confidence and behave as a professional. I warn them not to let someone with a negative personality to influence their commitments to their new profession. ( I also let remind them when they are the "senior" employee working with the "newbie" to remember how they were treated and be nice and helpful!)
You are absolutely right Donna! The demographic of students at my college is unique in that we have single parents, older adult learners, and some adults who are going back to school in order to obtain various skills needed to find a new carrer due to the economic downturn. As a professor, I believe it is our job to meet students where they are. I am also a program director at this school. At orientation, I instill upon my students that they are the changing face of technology. While others are retiring, we are looking to these students to go out into the workforce and create positive social change. Throughout the program, many students have hardships. However, knowing that they have supportive staff and faculty to assist in their academic pursuits goes a long way!
I always try and give some exciting & positive feedback to the students re what posibilities are out there for them. It works great when I can get some of the previous group's students to talk to the new ones and explain how it worked out for them. This helps tremendously to get them motiviated and eager to move forward towards their dreams.
One thing that I like about my particular institution is that once a student is enrolled, they have a picture taken in a cap and gown to envision their success in the program of choice. This gives them something to look forward to, and a visual reminder, as it is displayed on a board in the area of their classes.
I agree with you Robert
A short time ago I was on the otherside of the table (A student at a for profit Institution). I can tell you the visions of what I could be doing after I finshed shcool were quite frequent and never the same. They ranged anywhere from building jet engines, to deveolping tuning software. What really sold the picture was my classmate that had graduated comming back to the camups for what ever reason and sharing their success stories. It was the light at the end of the tunnel, and it was blinding.
