It is a bit of a bother, however it does not seem to be receiving enough attention from society at the moment.
I wanted to share my thoughts on the character and nature of student cohorts that we are teaching these days. Students have always played a big role in invigorating the passion that I have towards my job as a lecturer. Lecture topics may be tough to teach, there have been other challenges I have faced in the delivery of the lesson. But just the sheer presence of the students and the exchange of greetings with them to start with rekindles the interest in the job and gives the instant energy to gallop a thousand miles right away.
However, lately it does not feel that way, the moment I enter this particular class, I feel like I have just completed the 1000 miles and am tired to do anything else.
The nature of students is as such that I have even thought of skipping a lecture and just giving them some written work to do. They totally lack motivation, do not care for anything in life, do not respect the system, come late for lectures, talk to their friends during lecture time and so on. I have tried friendly type of classroom management. I believe that by building rapport, we will be able to achieve the learning outcomes easily. But it did not work. Then I tried being strict, that too does not. While in discussion with my peers and friends about this issue, it became clear that many classes have these type of students. So on a deeper level, if we were to think of this more critically, it is the value system that these kids are from that has landed them as to what they are today. Most kids are single child for parents, and parents who pet them at younger ages without inculcating values, are now not able to solve the problems that these kids create back at home. Hence they spend a lot of money to drive them to foreign countries for education. They are absolutely spoiled for choice and do not realize the worth that an educational certificate can provide them when in need. I have seen many students just stuck to their mobile phones as though it is part of their anatomy. It is one major culprit - the phone has become smart and made its users idiots.
It is common to find students at the Foundation levels of Tertiary Education not inclined too well academically. As educators we totally understand and accept them. We contribute as much as we can in their cognitive development and also character molding. But at the tertiary level, their character is already built, by the value system created by parents at home where most of the early years of childhood is spent. So we face some 'I do not want to change', 'I am lazy to change', 'I don't care, as I have everything in life', type of students in class and sometimes talking to them is like hitting a wall.
Some students coming to Singapore from foreign countries have difficulties in coping with not only the education system, but also a new environment. Their parents are not nearby to guide them, they are totally dependent on themselves, a few are lucky to have good guardians. These students find it difficult to focus in studies. Eventually, they bunk classes, they miss out on lectures and when returning to class the next day, they are in a trance as they don't understand.
The 'I don't care' type of students can come to lectures, without a book. Oh!! even that can be tolerated, they don't care to even carry a pen with them. They show no interest to learn.
Lack of English proficiency is a major hurdle in their learning process. And the best part is that there is a large percent of student population who possess the same character. As an academician, I have tried my best to talk them into setting a goal in life, but in vain. The starting point was in trying to make the classes more interesting by understanding their learning needs. This is when the stress for the educator builds up. The harsh reality is that, in a stipulated period of time, concepts and definitions of topics from Management or any other subject area has to be taught to them, who are either weak in English, or do not know the language at all(don't be surprised). If the learner shows even a wee bit of interest, we can pick up on that, otherwise I bet it is a Himalayan task.
I do not want to talk of entry requirements and eligibility criterion of these students, that is a whole new topic. The institution also plays a major role in reinforcing the value systems. But sadly, many private institutions are more keen on the business perspective. I feel pathetic about these young adults and the society that will be served by them tomorrow. Of course there are many of them who are wonderful and doing a great job. But my concern is that this 'lackluster' group of teenagers are increasing in number. There is some basic error in their value system and parents are failing to see that. If these students were to take on the workforce tomorrow, what will be the economy of the country like? Quite a worry!!
I wanted to share my thoughts on the character and nature of student cohorts that we are teaching these days. Students have always played a big role in invigorating the passion that I have towards my job as a lecturer. Lecture topics may be tough to teach, there have been other challenges I have faced in the delivery of the lesson. But just the sheer presence of the students and the exchange of greetings with them to start with rekindles the interest in the job and gives the instant energy to gallop a thousand miles right away.
However, lately it does not feel that way, the moment I enter this particular class, I feel like I have just completed the 1000 miles and am tired to do anything else.
The nature of students is as such that I have even thought of skipping a lecture and just giving them some written work to do. They totally lack motivation, do not care for anything in life, do not respect the system, come late for lectures, talk to their friends during lecture time and so on. I have tried friendly type of classroom management. I believe that by building rapport, we will be able to achieve the learning outcomes easily. But it did not work. Then I tried being strict, that too does not. While in discussion with my peers and friends about this issue, it became clear that many classes have these type of students. So on a deeper level, if we were to think of this more critically, it is the value system that these kids are from that has landed them as to what they are today. Most kids are single child for parents, and parents who pet them at younger ages without inculcating values, are now not able to solve the problems that these kids create back at home. Hence they spend a lot of money to drive them to foreign countries for education. They are absolutely spoiled for choice and do not realize the worth that an educational certificate can provide them when in need. I have seen many students just stuck to their mobile phones as though it is part of their anatomy. It is one major culprit - the phone has become smart and made its users idiots.
It is common to find students at the Foundation levels of Tertiary Education not inclined too well academically. As educators we totally understand and accept them. We contribute as much as we can in their cognitive development and also character molding. But at the tertiary level, their character is already built, by the value system created by parents at home where most of the early years of childhood is spent. So we face some 'I do not want to change', 'I am lazy to change', 'I don't care, as I have everything in life', type of students in class and sometimes talking to them is like hitting a wall.
Some students coming to Singapore from foreign countries have difficulties in coping with not only the education system, but also a new environment. Their parents are not nearby to guide them, they are totally dependent on themselves, a few are lucky to have good guardians. These students find it difficult to focus in studies. Eventually, they bunk classes, they miss out on lectures and when returning to class the next day, they are in a trance as they don't understand.
The 'I don't care' type of students can come to lectures, without a book. Oh!! even that can be tolerated, they don't care to even carry a pen with them. They show no interest to learn.
Lack of English proficiency is a major hurdle in their learning process. And the best part is that there is a large percent of student population who possess the same character. As an academician, I have tried my best to talk them into setting a goal in life, but in vain. The starting point was in trying to make the classes more interesting by understanding their learning needs. This is when the stress for the educator builds up. The harsh reality is that, in a stipulated period of time, concepts and definitions of topics from Management or any other subject area has to be taught to them, who are either weak in English, or do not know the language at all(don't be surprised). If the learner shows even a wee bit of interest, we can pick up on that, otherwise I bet it is a Himalayan task.
I do not want to talk of entry requirements and eligibility criterion of these students, that is a whole new topic. The institution also plays a major role in reinforcing the value systems. But sadly, many private institutions are more keen on the business perspective. I feel pathetic about these young adults and the society that will be served by them tomorrow. Of course there are many of them who are wonderful and doing a great job. But my concern is that this 'lackluster' group of teenagers are increasing in number. There is some basic error in their value system and parents are failing to see that. If these students were to take on the workforce tomorrow, what will be the economy of the country like? Quite a worry!!
