Students at the start of a new class always bring a sense of hope to their instructor. This is the time when students are most often listening, reading and attempting to complete the required activities. From the instructor’s perspective, students are expected to be ready to learn the course topics. For the most part, students begin class by making an effort. After the first week of classes, reality sets in and this is the time when students will either keep trying or their efforts will drop off.
Understanding Course Materials
When students try to understand course materials and for some reason cannot understand how to complete an assignment. These challenges can be a turning point for them. If they don’t know how to ask for help or feel the need to vent their frustrations in an unproductive way, it can be easier to give up.
Online Course
Students who are enrolled in an online course find it even more challenging. This is because it can feel like they are working alone. Their instructors may not find out about their matches until after the class weekends when the assignment deadline has passed and the student hasn’t turned in anything. At this point, it may be too late to get the student back on track.
Promising Students
Every student begins with some degree of hope when they begin class. A new class represents an opportunity to continue to progress or improve. Although students are apprehensive about their new instructor or what can be expected of their performance in class. They rarely feel hopeless at the beginning of class. Some students may lose their sense of commitment after the first week and find out what the reality of the classroom will be like. However, the initial willingness to participate and engage is.
Active Engagement and Presence
A promising student has external signs that include active engagement and presence in class along with time. This is also the time when they are likely to be most responsive to their instructor. That’s when first impressions are made. Students will remain in this state until the first challenge passes. This may be as early as the first week when they attempt to read the assigned materials or complete the required learning activities.
When you look at the many qualities a student needs to be successful, hope may not be the first thing every educator puts on their list. However, it is hoped that primarily motivates students to start a degree. Whether they hope to change their job, career or life. If a student has hope, they probably believe that it is possible to make the change they are looking for. If I can nurture that feeling and connect it to the efforts they are making, it can serve as a powerful source of motivation .
Hopeless Students
As the student experiences the learning process and interacts with the instructor and the class, they will experience emotions. For example, the student may feel as though this is a productive environment and one in which they can learn and be supported as they strive to complete what is expected. This is one of many potential positive emotions that a student can experience. Negative emotions may also be felt, and these feelings may have a direct impact on the sense of hope a student has about their ability to succeed, or at least complete what is expected of them.
