Working With (Un)usual Circumstances

Melodee Beals, Academic Coordinator for History

Working with (Un)usual Circumstances

• International Students

• Widening Participation

• Learning Difficulties, Illness and Bereavement

• Difficult Students

International Students

• Language

• Culture

• Experience

• External Pressures

Widening Participation

• Time

• Money

• Experience

• Peer Support

Difficulties and Disabilities

• Learning Difficulties

• Psychological Disabilities

• Physical Disabilities

Illness and Bereavement

• Occasional Illness

• Chronic Illness

• Bereavement or other Personal Trauma

Difficult Students

• Shy

• Talkative

• Domineering

• Belligerent

• Distracting

• Prejudiced

Simple Steps to Help All StudentsAcknowledge diversity of experience

Begin with explicit instructions and a high level of structure

Review skills set periodically

Be flexible about pace and structure

Simple Steps to Help All StudentsStay to time

Be flexible about contact hours / methods

Take care in creating handouts

Speak clearly and explain idioms

Simple Steps to Help All Students

Foster peer relationships

Allow for informal feedback

Be supportive, be aware

Working With (Un)usual Circumstances

Melodee Beals, Academic Coordinator for History