Guest Speaker: Students Today
10 September 2014Although some instructors might feel threatened or intimidated by having to adapt to accommodate the needs of an ever-diversifying student body, consider that change can be good, benefit the student and ultimately make teaching and managing the classroom a lot easier.
By Bradley J. Ware, PhD, and C. Lévesque Ware, PhD
The student landscape today is drastically different than in the past. Classes are made up of an increased number of students who have new and unique needs and a variety of views and opinions concerning their role in the classroom and that of the instructor.
More and more students are culturally diverse, have learning disabilities, live with visual and hearing impairments, and require more personal attention. Educators who adapt their teaching methods and strategies to best accommodate these diverse groups will have the greatest degree of success in motivating students to learn.
Culturally Diverse Students
There are many outside forces that can influence the overall success of foreign and multicultural students. Behaviors that are culturally linked such as a lack of eye contact, non-participatory behavior, a disregard for personal space, or the failure to respond to questions might be misconstrued by instructors as poor preparation or a lack of interest. Students who are first-generation college students might experience the pressure to succeed in an environment with which they are not familiar. They may at times feel like outcasts and honestly believe that they do not belong or fit into the college scheme of things. Students who have English as a second language also have the added burden of limited comprehension and might find it difficult to adjust to the academic rigor that college demands.
It might at times be helpful to rephrase a question if students are having trouble comprehending or to allow more time for them to process what is being asked. Educators who educate themselves about the various cultures of their students will avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Students with Special Needs
The number of students with special needs who attend college today has also increased. Although federal law states that instructors are not required to alter and remove any essential elements that would fundamentally change a course, it is necessary to provide these students with reasonable accommodations that can substantially assist them. Students requiring accommodations should be encouraged to provide instructors with appropriate documentation at the very start of the course so that they might be able to remain on an equal footing with their peers. Including a statement on the syllabus about special accommodations and encouraging ongoing communication through individual conferences to check on student progress and overall comprehension can encourage students to believe that success is possible.
Incorporating small-group classroom discussions allows students to familiarize themselves with others in the class and permits them to become more comfortable in asking peers for assistance when needed. Allowing students to communicate with you electronically before and after classes if they require additional explanations on material presented is also beneficial. It is also important to remind them to be proactive in seeking out extra help and to avail themselves of university learning-center tutoring resources.
Student Expectations
Instructors are faced with the task of adapting their teaching and classroom-management strategies to answer to the unique characteristics and expectations of a new breed of student. Students today want instructors who care about them and who are enthusiastic about teaching and knowledgeable about their subject matter. They expect presentations to be clear, succinct and organized, and want to see the “real world” relevance of material that they are required to learn. They enjoy the social exchange of ideas, like to work in groups, require constant feedback, and crave positive reinforcement. It is also important to them that they know up front what is expected of them and how their overall performance in the course will be evaluated.
Consult with colleagues, department chairs and other professionals to share tips that work in the classroom and be receptive to suggestions that they might offer. Although accommodating students today might require changes in traditional instruction, and some instructors might feel threatened or intimidated by the having to adapt, it is important to remember that change can sometimes be good, can benefit the student, and can ultimately make the instructor’s job a lot easier.
Bradley J. Ware, PhD, is a professor in the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. C. Lévesque Ware, PhD, is a professor in the John Hazen White School of Arts and Sciences at Johnson & Wales University in Providence.