What do students want from your course?

I am currently reading :-


TEACHING COLLEGE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LECTURING, PRESENTING, AND ENGAGING STUDENTS

by Norman Eng
"To figure out their mindset, ask yourself these seven questions posed by presentation expert Nancy Duarte (2008)

What is your audience like? Why are they here? What keeps them up at night? How can you solve their problem? What do you want them to do? How might they resist? How can you best reach them?"
He also talks about knowing what your students reasons are for choosing your course and what they are wanting to gain from it.

I asked my Y11, 12 and 13 students 3 questions.

What they were doing in the Design and Visual Communication room.

What are their short term goals from the course - this year.

What are their ling term goals for the course - after this year.

I gave them a small piece of paper to write their answers on and they were to keep them anonymous.

Key highlights for me :-
Knowing they can use the skills they learn in DVC in their chosen job choices like building. They like learning skills. Enjoying the subject even if they have no plans to use it in any future job ideas. Students wanting a change from academic style courses. Wanting to improve their drawing skills. Wanting to use their graphics skills in future design courses after school.

Key worries for me :-
Focusing on getting credits and achieving NCEA, not learning. It was the only thing in the option line they fancied trying.