Terry Bailey
STU/ FSS Instructor
tbailey@shastacollege.edu
GIFTS Workshop
November 17, 2009
Instructor Interview
Rational: Students enrolled in College Success are often new to the college experience; others
have been here a few semesters with less than satisfactory results. Most have fears about the
college experience, real or imagined. When surveying students about their concerns related to
college one that is repeated semester after semester is the fear of talking to their instructors.
This assignment is given to help lessen the fear of approaching instructors when asking
questions or seeking advice. I encourage students to interview instructors they have the hardest
time with or find the course most challenging. .
Materials: Class schedule
Paper and pen
Description: Students develop a purpose for visiting with a college instructor. It can be an
instructor they currently have a course with or one they are thinking of taking in future
semesters. The direction of the interview can be a get to know you talk, a check up on grades
and discussion of progress in a course they are currently enrolled in or a career exploration
interview. Students come up with a list of questions they plan to ask the instructor. They
research office hours and location of office from the college schedule. They then make an
appointment with an instructor. If the first choice for the interview is not available students
may seek advice from that instructor about other possible interviewees. Some students choose
to talk to several individuals; this is often done if it is a career research based interview. The
interview is written up and then presented to the class as an oral report.
Processing: Students write up the interview in a narrative or question and answer format. In
the classroom we form a circle of chairs and the students take turns sharing about their
interview experience. They talk about everything from how hard it was to locate an office to
the vast amount of knowledge and caring the instructor exhibited.