I tell my students that I admire them for furthering their education. I remind them that the more they learn, the more valuable they will be to a current or potential employer. Education is a life-long process, and something that no one else can take away from them. I let them know that I am there to help them, and try to encourage communication if they are feeling stressed.
Arlene,
For sure. Acceptance puts them at ease and helps them get settled into the course and ready for the upcoming learning that is going to occur.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kevin,
So true. Feeling accepted enables a student to get settled into the course and focus on what the requirements are for success. If they don't have such a feeling they never really get on track and as a result the course really never becomes a part of their educational process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When a student feels accepted they are open to learning. They can focus and do not feel insecure if they make an error or ask a question.
Arlene
Hi Greg,
There is a saying that if lan A doesn't work-there are still 25 other letters in the Alphabet! Not sure who created that saying but feel it applies to the content of your message.
Hi Gary,
I think when an individual feels accepted that they feel safe. This security allows them to move forward with confidence in obtaining learning objectives. Conversely, not feeling accepted would cause distrations to the course contenr and the ability to learn.
feeling accepted in class not only is something external. But its learning to be accepted by you. these students enroll to school to have a career. But deep down its self worth and feeling good about themselves and being able to succeed in life
Glenn,
Right you are about the sequence of development that should and does occur in classes if all of the essential elements are provided. The feeling of accomplishment is great when students move through the Hierarchy and feel confident in their growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important for students to feel accepted in classes so that they actively participate, ask questions, and help fellow students in group work that, in turn, contributes to the success. By making a comfortable environment and a sense of respect to each other, students are more apt to contribute and see how they fit into the class ecostructure. This coincides with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. By creating this type of environment you are helping the student achieve Safety level and Belonging level. This then helps them succeed in the course that then increases their Esteem level of the hierarchy of needs. This course progression throughout the course promotes students to achieve Self-actualization.
Michael,
Simple things like being acknowledged go a long way in earning the respect of students. We all liked such acknowledgement when we were students so we need to do the same for our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students want to be acknowledged. I know as a student myself, I appreciate the instructor calling my name, asking me to reply to a question, and even participate with a hands on lab skill.
Richard,
This is why it is so important to establish a feeling of support and respect in the classroom. Students need to know the learning leader is their advocate if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When students feel accepted in class they are more likely to feel comfortable participating and asking questions. When a student feels uncomfortable they are likely to just try to survive the class, instead of engaging in it.
I find my student love to role play when I set up the proper scenario. they seam to grasp the material better with that and the hands on.
w,
Good supportive approach for getting your students settled into the course and feeling confident they can do the required work. This is how you build rapport with them as the course progresses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to make sure my students understand that they are in school to learn and that lack of knowledge on a subject should not put them ill at ease. I try to engage all my student s on a personal level and learn their names early so the will feel comfortable in my classroom.
Krystal,
These past students are such valuable resources because they are peers of your current students and have set where the current group is now setting. The current students can visualize themselves being where the recent graduates are and that greatly increases their motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To help my students we bring in a class that has either graduated recently or is about to, to talk to them about the program. it helps give the newer students an idea of how the courses will progress and thats its ok to come to the instructors for support. this also gives the newer students a sense that they are not alone in their struggles and if they have such a strong support team in their teachers and students in other classes, then they feel they can succeed.
I agree with Richard. If we remove their anxiousness and assure them that they will do well in the class then the class as a whole will benifit from a less tense enviorment.
Desiree,
Having a person in authority such as the instructor value them is so important to students. Many adult students are unsure as to whether they can be successful in school. Knowing that they have the support of their instructor goes a long way in helping them to see that they in fact can be successful in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
