Ambitions

Students in adult education have various reasons for studying and they also have different targets. Some of them have to struggle for good results and reports, and some of them are happy just passing. For you as a teacher this is important to know, so you are able to motivate and support in different ways.

Case

Gustav is 22, and his target is to gain a place in a top medical school so he needs the highest reports. He shows irritation to you as the teacher when he lands up in a group where their ambitions are not as high as his. He talks about this in the group, where among others Elisabeth, 34, is a member.

She is struggling to pass the course. She becomes upset over Gustav's talk and feels worthless. In a conversation he remarks that you devote too much time to Elisabeth and the others in the group with low level of ambitions. Elisabeth thinks that everyone in the group has the same rights to your time and that you devote too much interest and time to Gustav.

Her opinion is that he will get good results without your help and support.

Reflections

• Should time and attention be "distributed" evenly among students that claim attention?
• Which teaching techniques allow a maximum individual support among heterogenic groups?
• What are the advantages / disadvantages of heterogenic groups?
• Could "group rules" help?

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