On December 3, 2010, Heather Wolpert-Garwin posted a blog article titled Equation of Success: Top Ten Responsibilities that Students Must Own
. In her blog, which was one of three, she discussed that although we as educators are doing what we can (or should be doing what we can) to assist students in becoming successful, there is still the critcal element of the student's involvement and what they put forth to be successful. Her list of top ten suggestions include the following items:
Number One: Be your own advocate. Stake a claim in the classroom by making sure the teacher knows who you are...in a good way.
Number Two: Ask lots of questions....and show confusion appropriately.
Number Three: Communicate your struggles to your teachers. What is going on that affects your work?
Number Four: Think of school as your office in training. Are you a good co-worker?
Number Five: Dress for success, but don't panic, you don't have to wear a suit to be taken seriously.
Number Six: At least do the minimum so you aren't creating gaps that are harder to bridge later. Better yet, do more.
Number Seven: Sweat a little. School is your brain gym. You have to work out your muscles, make them a little sore, if you're going to lift a heavier load later on.
Number Eight: Find ways to relate to your reading and writing. What original thoughts and experiences can you bring to the lesson to make it come alive for yourself?
Number Nine: Be in class. Don't jeopardize your own training.
Number Ten: Surround yourself with other students who can help you. You don't have to be best friends with everyone you seek advice from, but find friends or acquaintances that are rooting for you, the best of you.
I could not agree more. Although students are bound to make mistakes and act immature from time to time, they still have to realize that they make their own beds. If they are not willing to put forth the effort or at least try, there isn't much that educators can do to help them be successful. Students must realize that they have to help themselves before they can be helped by someone else. I couldn't agree more with Wolpert-Garwin's top ten list!
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-responsibility-academic-success-heather-wolpert-gawron
No comments:
Post a Comment