Pygmalion Effect
The Pygmalion Effect can be very useful in that you must expect good things from your students and consistently state this through out the course. It is true that words do have meanings.
Brian,
yes, we need to give them authentic praise for authentic success & this will help them feel very positive.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Brian,
yes, we need to give them authentic praise for authentic success & this will help them feel very positive.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find my students need constant encouragement and often are more successful after they've had a pep talk. Often times they are too hard on themselves or expect failure. When they really succeed is when you tell them they can succeed.
Luz,
yes & keeping that positive tone that you truly believe they can be successful is vital.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I do like the Pygmalion effect. Students understanding from the very beginning how something works or the outcome of something, opens their curiosity as to how it got there and shows the value of the process.
I usually tell new instructions that if there is information that they don't like or agree with in the teaching material to never, ever express this to the class. It changes the dynamics of the class greatly. That is not to say that you should not point out any mistakes or submission errors in the material. There are times that just a simple statments like "This is not how I would have taught this class" or "I don't like the way that the test questions are written." can have negative consequences
Deborah Balentine
I always to try and find at least one positive thing to say to each student during the course of their lab time. (I am a baking a pastry instructor) Even if they had many failures during the day, that one bright spot is sometimes all they need to be encouraged to try again and not give up.
This works. Positive encouragement usually results in a positive outcome.
Students, even adult students, respond to positive praise and the instructor telling them that they will be successful. Being positive and carrying that attitude in every class is extremely important.
Oh yes, words have power. In math class I spend a lot of time just removing the mental blocks students have from teachers who told them they couldn't learn this topic.
But I find what works well is to always be respectful of them. I listen carefully, give careful and positive answers even to questions which make little sense, and always encourage their efforts, especially when they are speaking during class. And I also grade and return their work quickly. Asking about their health when they've been sick, if the car is fixed, etc., helps too.
They respond to this! Pay attention to somebody and they will make a positive effort. And if the work is giving them trouble they are more likely to ask for help too.
Hi Andre!
Students are much more successful when they know what to expect and are clear with the instructions.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I found that getting my students out to lab as soon as possible with a relatively simple lab task gives them an immediate success and builds their confidence right away. I also make sure the task at some point requires my help so that they see that I am there for them and am willing to get in and help out. Students sometimes complain that when they go to lab in other classes they are left to figure it all out by themselves. I found that I have much less personality conflicts this way.
I find this to be true when I teach Math - so many of my students are sure they don't understand math. If I help them look at the subject in a positive way, they surprise themselves with how much they understand.
I agree, using the Pygmalion effect to your advantage is very simple. The idea is actually very old, in the form of mantra’s. A mantra, which originates from Hinduism, is a form of prayer that has a powerful effect when repeated. As such, it is basically the Pygmalion effect: repeat something, so it becomes imprinted in your subconscious mind.
So the only thing you have to do, is create your mantra (or mantra’s) and keep repeating them. This doesn’t have to be done out loud, you can do this silently too. The key factor is repeating, so your subconscious will pick up the idea and make it grow stronger and stronger.
I feel the attitude of the instructor whether is positive or negative has a lot to do how students work and their results. If an instructor is very positive and encouraging, you see a lot of success in your students.
Hello Troy,
I find this to be particularly true with teaching Culinary Arts. Reaffirming the student’s confidence level and assuring them it can and will be done is critical.
Anytime a student feels he or she will fail, I always compliment every answer and never say that anything is wrong-just that we should build on what was already said. I am always available for tutoring, and do not single any student out.
Pygmalion fell in love with a statue he sculpted out of ivory and wished it to be real. Athena granted his wish because he was devout. Students are not inanimate objects molded by our will. I have a philosophical problem with the idea of this so-called effect. Some students are so jaded by various bureaucratic educational systems, use to failing or unfair (unconstructive) criticisms there is no amount of positivity and reinforcement that can restore their negative self image and defeatist behavior.
A student with strong desire to excel trumps a negative instructor...they can still learn and excel because they have the will to do so. This should be called the Pinocchio effect. The student has to desire to be something more and assert their own will to succeed. It is only then as a fairy godmother (facilitator/ instructor) that we can help them to be made real.
I am true believer that the Pygmalion effect is most useful especially in students who are returning to school for the first time in a really long time. Being the teacher who has a positive outlook is the way for great learning experiences.
