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.