First, this post is NOT about what students need. That has been and will be discussed until there are no more humans in the universe.
But what do students want?
In my years of teaching students in grades 7-12 (12-18 years old), they love stories. Some students want stories because they think that they have gotten me onto a tangent so, "This won't be on the test, right?" Some students just enjoy listening to someone else's mistakes/experiences.
But many of my students actually want to hear my stories. (I know, because the classroom is quiet without me having to shush anyone.)
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm no master storyteller. But students want to know about my experiences (usually mistakes) and how I feel about them. The students want to know what's "out there" in the world beyond their school and home.
And so I've learned to be honest.
Of course, if it's an opinion, I interject an "imho" ("in my humble opinion"). If it's how I feel about my university or work experiences, I'm clear about what I could (or should!) have done differently. And I try my very best to not give advice (which they might follow to disaster). Instead, I throw lots of different possibilities and have them choose their own way.
After all, the last thing they want is to be told what to do.
ps. Remember, you should believe everything you read on the Internet. ;-)
But what do students want?
In my years of teaching students in grades 7-12 (12-18 years old), they love stories. Some students want stories because they think that they have gotten me onto a tangent so, "This won't be on the test, right?" Some students just enjoy listening to someone else's mistakes/experiences.
But many of my students actually want to hear my stories. (I know, because the classroom is quiet without me having to shush anyone.)
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm no master storyteller. But students want to know about my experiences (usually mistakes) and how I feel about them. The students want to know what's "out there" in the world beyond their school and home.
And so I've learned to be honest.
Of course, if it's an opinion, I interject an "imho" ("in my humble opinion"). If it's how I feel about my university or work experiences, I'm clear about what I could (or should!) have done differently. And I try my very best to not give advice (which they might follow to disaster). Instead, I throw lots of different possibilities and have them choose their own way.
After all, the last thing they want is to be told what to do.
ps. Remember, you should believe everything you read on the Internet. ;-)
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