Know your students.
Learning something personal about each student give the instructor a connection and show the student you care. How much information is enough information?
It very important to know your students as they may come form different backgrounds and knowledge base. A good way to assess their knowledge would be to ask questions and build up class instructional plan.
A simple background on the student... not going in to the students private life.
Hi Jeannie,
Great example of how to "read" students. By honing one's observational skills in addition to talking with students an instructor can develop a clear picture of the learning preferences for the students.
Gary
On some level, your students are people who are with you 24/7. We prepare for their arrival, we spend real time with them in the classroom, we spend virtual time answering email or phone calls, we grade and prepare some for the next day and then we start the process all over again. It's to everyone's benefit, including the instructor's, to have the most meaningful and authentic connection possible with each student.
Making an effort to know them is as easy as it is to get to know any stranger in a social setting, like a party. First I "notice" things... a tatoo, interesting melodious name, accent, enormously heavy backpack: Everyone carries in their person or in their expression an invitation to connect.
That is a great Idea, listen the student from inside is a great tool to get that connection
Knowing every Student give me the opportunity to personalize my assistance and helping better in their search for Externship
Hi Bruce,
This is the way I like to open up my new classes as well. It really helps me to know how to proceed with this set of students. I am sure this procedure also helps with developing a connection between you and the students as you starting developing rapport with them.
Gary
All,
I get the incoming students, so as part of the first day we have a get to know you session. This is under the guise of students getting to know each other, but what really happens is I get to learn a bit about them. I use this info to help guide the class. I like to know how much or if any industry experience they have, where they are from, and what they dream about doing after graduation. I find this really helps me tailor the class to fit student needs.
Bruce
Hi Dan,
Your last statement is very important. We have to make sure that the relationship is always professional and that we model behavior that is appropriate for the career we represent.
Gary
Hi Ron,
I think you are right with your statement. By knowing something about a student that is significant then you have an opening to developing a relationship with that individual.
Gary
Knowing your students is critical because you will be able to better serve their learning style and personality type. However, as instructors, it is important to keep professional and limit how much we probe into their lives.
I think this is a situation where quality is much more important than quantity. If you know one important thing about each student, it can give you that pathway to break down barriers.
Hi Anthony,
Good approach for those students that are holding back a bit during the course. The positive method really helps them to see that they can be successful in the course and that you are there to help them be successful.
Gary
I've found myself gathering information about students as they give it, where they're from, where they work, past work history, etc. Occasionally, I have to actively seek out information if a student is withdrawn or appears unwilling to take the initiative to break the ice with the instructor. And often I try to break the ice with a student by identifying what it is that he or she is doing noticeably well. This gives me an opportunity to approach them "positively," and allows the instructor/student relationship to develop more easily than if my first reaction is from a more "negative" perspective (any perspective that offers them the chance to jump to a defensive stance immediately).
Hi Catherine,
Enough information is what you need to create a connection between you and that student. I have found that learning what the career goal of each student is and one significant fact about them gives me a starting point for developing rapport. Throughout the remainder of the course phase I learn more about each student.
Gary
