9.5 Get to know them

Motivation can be associated with feelings of belonging and security but students are often allocated a project supervisor who, being both an authority figure and a complete stranger, is to be distrusted.

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This bundle recognises that when students, especially adults, sign up for a course they do not do so to fulfil the desires of their teachers; students have their own objectives in taking a course. This is why we must get to know them. This bundle also recognises that student motivation can be altered as much by general encouragement and support as by specific intellectual guidance and academic intervention.

How it works is if you judge that the student's motivation would be helped by a closer relationship, find out about the student before the first meeting. Consult students' academic records and talk to students' tutors or colleagues who have taught them. At the first meeting make a point of introducing yourself?don't stick to professional issues, let them know you're human and have other interests. If it is possible, meet project students socially.

This works better if staff-student relations generally are friendly and if teaching staff take an interest in individual students.

It doesn't work if students perceive insincerity or if they have a chip on their shoulder about academics and the "real world". Students must understand that good relationships are no substitute for quality work.

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So: help students to feel they belong.