The term student derives from the Latin and Old French words “pupillus” and “pupille,” both of which mean ward or orphan. It first became a specialized term for a student sometime in the 1560s, when it referred to an individual who was beginning a college course. In most countries, the term “student” is used for all students, regardless of age or level of study. Here are some reasons why.
Defining a student
The varying definitions of the term “student” can cause confusion. For example, the term student could refer to a person who is in school or university. It could also refer to someone who is learning a new skill, such as cooking in their own kitchen. These definitions are based on the individual needs of the student and do not reflect the opinions of Merriam-Webster or any other source. However, they do provide some examples to help people understand the meaning behind the term “student.”
Developing a sense of agency
Developing a sense of agency as s student can dramatically transform the impact of your classroom. The desire of many students to take ownership and solve important problems is an untapped resource that teachers can tap into. This shift in perspective from controlling to empowering will ensure that your students experience the learning they need to achieve success. If you want to empower your students, you must first shift from being a control freak to empowering them.
Developing a sense of purpose
Students are encouraged to develop a sense of purpose during the many “purpose-seeking” experiences they have in their lives. These experiences include important life events, serving others, or even changing circumstances. These experiences are transformative and meaningful for students. In addition to providing opportunities for purpose-seeking, such experiences contribute to students’ general well-being. For students who lack the motivation to pursue their goals, setting goals is a good way to encourage them to stay motivated throughout college.
Developing a social structure
Social structures are a critical component of a person’s life. The collective properties of a social entity are captured by its social structure, which identifies the component elements and specifies the relationships between those elements. Although social scientists have emphasized the importance of social structure for predicting the behavior of groups and individuals, there has been a tendency to write about this topic in a piecemeal fashion. The social structure is a concrete description of relations among groups and individuals.
Developing a sense of community
A sense of community is important to the well-being of individuals. It is strongly associated with the positive aspects of an individual’s life, including social connectedness, personal growth, and mental health. A sense of community has a positive impact on retention rates, as well as on student behaviour and mental health. Developing a sense of community has numerous benefits for students, including improved motivation, personal growth, and motivation levels. It also helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression.
Developing a sense of belonging
How can we foster a sense of belonging? One way to start is to share our expertise about belonging with others. You can do this with an interactive tool such as Padlet, a Google Doc, a spreadsheet, or a Panorama platform. For a student-centered approach, consider creating a shared vision for the school. It can serve as an aspiration or shared decision-making tenet.