Minding the Gap

College is a transitional space for incoming freshmen. Instructors who recognize this gap will do well to create space for students to transition in a safe and comfortable environment. We need to remember that these incoming students do not have the same cultural, economic, academic, or social situation that we maintain. Some are coming with little English-speaking ability. Others come with a lack of familial background in the college environment. These first-generational college students are especially vulnerable to anxiety in the new environment.

I am not sure about your experience, but in these past years I find my classroom shifting from a multi-age population to one that is averaging students of about 19 years of age. We can take advantage of this change and ask students to explore articles relevant to their generation. One English instructor suggested an assignment where students read articles that are negative about millennials and then asking the students to write rebuttals. 

And I know you have heard this before, but it is so important to repeat that these digital natives, although many have strong multi-tasking skills and strong Twitter, Facebook, and texting skills, they may not really know how to use many other tools we would expect. Some struggle with simply asking them to write a paper in Word. Others don't know how to attach a file in email, and be sure to remind them to check their YC email daily!

With the switch to Canvas this fall, we have also made a better choice for students. They are finding the simplicity of this new Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance their ability to download and do the homework we assign on their smartphones, but again, remember that not all students have smartphones. And it is not fair to assume that they do or that they should spend their hard-earned money to buy these, so please take care when creating assignments that you don't expect them to whip out their phone and do your instant survey. Enough said.

Getting back to Canvas, let us be more willing to use the tools inside the LMS once we get comfortable with it. We can embed lots of cool tools to enhance student learning experiences with no cost. We can also encourage students to create blogs like this one outside Canvas. When students do so, they create a space that is permanent, one where they can return and read, share and explore long after the class is over.

And lastly, please encourage any students in your classes who struggle with the new college landscape to take the FYE103 class next semester. This class focuses on helping students navigate the college system, develop study skills, and build self-responsibility, motivation, and self-management skills up front. It is never too late. Please also support the new students with mentoring them whether you officially signed up to be a mentor or not. All of our students, whether first-generation or not, can use a good friend in the faculty or staff of Yavapai College. Blessings as we reach out to help them and build a positive learning environment.