becoming human
by sharing your own emotions as an instructor,you're preventing a reptilian reaction, you suddenly become human and lower down the expectations by becoming approachable.
by asssociation showing your true self, putting a real face or context to words you create emotions, students not only become more receptive to informations but they also become more effective in retaining those informations.
the question is how far do we want to go?
I do something similar. Since I teach Speech, I have the students practice their interviewing skills by interviewing each other as to who they are and then have them practice presentation skills by having to introduce their partner to the class. This lets us know more about the student while having them practice skills they will master during the course of the class.
Another thing I do during the first class is set my expectation that students should make mistakes and learn from them. I tell them I do not want to teach robots and if they are perfect they are not human. They laugh and it breaks the ice but they understand also.
I do something similar in the first day of class. I ask the student's where they are from. Because I travel quite a bit, I can use this to assimilate an experience so I can create some shared experience with the student.
Greetings Rebecca!
I couldn't agree more. When student and student connect and then the instructor connects, everyone has a potential for greater success.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I like this approch, I am a better instructor when I feel like I know who I am teaching.
I don't usually have time for a round table discussion, but I try to engage the students personal experiences as I go. I find the more I let the students talk the more willing they are to share.
I agree, showing that I'm approachable and human peeks the students interest. It also encourages students to ask me about my past experiences. I work as a Financial Planner full-time, and teach Business Communications part-time, and the students truly appreciate the "real world" experiences I share with them. My favorite lesson plan is starting with a tease, "Want to be a millionare? I can teach you." and then I wait a week or two before bringing it up again. When I teach the concept of dollar cost averaging, they are truly anticipating and soaking up the information and are awwed and wowed that they can become wealthy just by saving as much as they can, as often as they can, and as long as they can into savings/retirement accounts.
I teach psychology, and in many cases I give examples from my own life while encouraging the students to give examples from their own. I believe that it encourages the interaction and connection and improves learning.
I agree that as instructors we should to some degree open up to our students and show that we are human. This openess must be carefully limited, however, as going too far can inhibit the teacher's authority.
I agree, we have to be human and let them know about us or they will never open up to us. We need to know something about them to help facilitate their learning experience.
I can see that your approach helps you connect with your students. They feel that you can relate to them and be understanding.
First day of class we do a round table where that person shares his life experience. I find that this helps me as a teacher look at the students as an individual and not just a face.
Good morning Laurent!
I do believe that it is very important for instructors to self disclose. I have a canned self-disclosure that I use on a regular basis. I have found that students just want us to share something if we have that expectation of them.
Most people are interested in children, pets, hobbies and my educational experiences. I don't get personal and only discuss when I am expecting them to share their info. And - I share first so they know what's expected. Havingthese introductions makes us realize that we're all in it together and often bring the same challenges.
One other thing I've found is that when one student shares with the class their learning challenges other students will do the same. Just think what valuable info to the instuctor.
And for that student who is quiet and reserved, they let down a few of those barriers.
It is a balancing act though to not give too much of yourself and to not let students monopolize or become too personal.
Thanks for your wonderful comments and keep up the good work in the classroom.
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
