Urban Students, Urban Settings Wayne Powell Brooklyn College City University of New York

Urban Students: What to Be Aware Of… Diverse in culture and experience – Few common points of reference – Many culturally based analogies will have no meaning to many in the class (food, TV, pop culture icons) The city is your point of intersection… Integrate it throughout your teaching

What common experiences do you assume your classes share? What analogies do you use? Are any potentially problematic?

Urban Students: What to Be Aware Of… Strong ties to family & community – Students will have many responsibilities at home (e.g., caring for children, siblings, grandparents) – Limits on time students can be expected to work on school-related activities Community concerns resonate… Focus on local issues and improvements. Avoid busy work!

What local issues could resonate in your geoscience classes?

Urban Students: What to Be Aware Of… Many students are financially limited – Many students will work fulltime jobs in addition to school – Limits on time students can be expected to work on school-related activities Career matters!... Stress practicality, marketable skills, and career opportunities

What are the most common careers for geoscience graduates in your community? Which college-valued skills are most marketable in these careers?

Urban Students: What to Look Forward to… Students have a sense of personal responsibility – They understand consequences – They are used to making pragmatic decisions Treat them as responsible adults... Negotiate and discuss deadlines. Be flexible and reasonable.

Urban Students: What to Look Forward to… Students have a strong desire to improve their lives (and those of their family) – They are motivated to succeed Again, career matters!... Stress practicality, marketable skills, and career opportunities

Urban Students: What to Look Forward to… Students bring diverse experiences (cultural and geographical) – Someone in the classroom has a connection to whatever topic that you are discussing Use their experience... Provide opportunities for students to share and reflect on applications and implications

From which geographic regions do your students originate? What geological topics/issues correlate with these regions?

Urban Settings: What to Look Forward to… Rewarding partnerships – Non-formal education organizations (museums, parks) – Community organizations – Other universities with potentially complementary research facilities

Which organizations and facilities exist in your community that could provide support to your teaching and research?

Urban Settings: What to Look Forward to… Public learning resources – Abundant and diverse building stone (weathered to varying degrees) – Museum exhibit halls – Park environments – Municipal natural disaster educational materials

How could you redesign an assignment in one of your courses to be better suited to urban students in an urban setting?