TEACHING UNPREPARED STUDENTS: Strategies for Promoting Success and Retention in Higher Education
Colleges have diverse students, and there is an increase in first-generation students who may be at-risk, students with learning disabilities who may be vulnerable, and students who simply arrive unprepared for the academic rigors of college. Professors must be prepared to reach all the students in their courses. When dealing with unprepared students, professors must use learner-centered educational methods that promote student success, as well as other techniques and strategies that help students learn how to learn. In this session, Dr. Gabriel will address (and demonstrate) a few methods that are discussed in her book, Teaching Unprepared Students, including techniques for engaging and teaching peripheral students so they have more than a merge chance of success in the college arena.
Kathleen F. Gabriel is an assistant professor at California State University, Chico in the School of Education. A former high school social science and resource specialist teacher, in moving into higher education, she developed an academic support program for at-risk and unprepared college students. She was also a Faculty Development Specialist at the University of Arizona, and served as the Director of Disabled Student Services at a community college in Northern California. Her book will be available at the conference.