If a student feels accepted by the class as a whole they are more apt to participate in discussions. They will not feel as if they are "on the spot" when called on, also they will be relaxed and receptive to learning.
Judd,
This is a good point because students that do not feel accepted will be much more likely to drop out if they don't feel valued by anyone. Having their learning leader's support goes a long way in helping them to stay engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I is of the utmost importance that the feel accepted. If they feel like an outcast they will start to withdraw and have second thoughts about the program and if it is right for them. If they can find a friend,classmate or better yet an instructor that accepst them for who they are they will start to participate and learn and get excited in the course and all it has to offer.
Kevin,
Very true so each student needs to feel a part of the class. Respect is a two way street so when you show them respect and work to earn theirs in return and strong foundation for learning is created.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If students do not feel OK in their classes, they will not be able to focus on academic work and will be concerned about other things.
Christopher,
This has been my experience as well and this is why we need to work hard at getting every student involved in contributing to class questions and discussions. This way they will see how valuable their contributions can be to the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kareme,
Thank you for sharing your understanding of how you see engagement for students in an online setting. Your understanding and support encourages the students to stay focused and not let life overtake them to the point they fall behind or drop out. This personal connection is what keeps many students enrolled and moving toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
From my own teaching observation I have notice that if a student gets involved by contributing within the class session it will allow them to open up. If the student feels accepted by there peers this confidence and openness may allow them to approach learning more easily.
I work for and teach at an online college, so my experience here is both in the online classroom as well as in the online community.
As an online instructor, the acceptance that students display toward each other doesn't happen in my classroom as much as it would at a brick and mortar school, so the strongest element of acceptance is not with each other but with me. In other words, feeling accepted in the class has more to do with the relationship that students have with me, the instructor, than it does with other students.
My communications with the class at large as well as individually is geared toward a subtle underlying message of "you're ok". When a student emails or calls to tell me he or she is struggling with an assignment due to a personal problem, my first response is that I understand. Computers crash; internet goes out in bad weather; kids get sick. Sharing that these things are understandable puts students at ease. Once the initial concern as to how I'm going to react is over, the student can then move forward with the learning and the submission. Disarming the concern is first; the success can then easily follow.
So, why is it important for students to feel accepted in classes and how does this contribute to success? Feeling accepted releases the concern and anticipation of a negative reaction. This then allows the learning to happen more freely in a secure setting.
Chad,
When you let them use their life experiences you are helping your content to have application and relevancy. They start to see value to what is being taught since they can use this information in their lives and this helps them to see how they are moving closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to get the students to bring in their own life experiences in my classes that relates to the topic. I think this brings them closer to the subject and gives a better understand as to why they take the course and should be part of the course. I also provide any hands on or real life experiences as much as possible.
Pauline,
Good point. Being a part of a learning community helps students to see how they can contribute their knowledge and experience to complete a project or solve a problem.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Learning is easier when you feel like you are a part of the class.
It is very important that they feel accepted in class. Often students will approach you and come up with new ideas and examples regarding a lecture. It is critical to acknowledge their contribution. Once this happens, the student will become more confident. This will in turn prove to be a motivating factor in future classes and overall success.
Connie you are definitely right, being able to practice the skill is a must. In clinical many times I beg the nurses to let the students practice and when dealing with an invasive type of intervention to offer them guided directions. This will increase the student motivation and self confidence. Watching a person doing a skill is one thing, doing it is totally different.
William,
This is a common challenge for instructors. Students generally don't ask question just as you mention. It takes some effort to get them to see the value of asking questions as well as see that they will not be thought less of for asking a question. Once you get them going then some real interaction can occur and it is a great learning day for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The area I find students trapped in, is asking a question. For some reason they feel if they ask a question, they're dumb. From the very start of class I try to encourage the asking of questions. One person asks a question, that probably half the class is thinking to themselves, and the class can see how I answer it, and that I accept, and develop on the topic, the questions roll in. Easily some of the best teaching and information come out when they feel accepted, and their knowledge is expanded, and this contributes to their success.
People want to feel apart of something. When they do, they feel safe and are more able to retain information.
Tammy,
I like hearing examples like this as they show that respect was developed between the two age groups because they come together with a common cause, that being the course content and projects within the course. This is how the work world operates and you are helping them to see how they need to interact with colleagues to accomplish goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have a diverse ethnic as well as age range in my classes. I have found the younger students tend to set the older ones apart. At first I thought this was due to a feeling they didn't have anything in common with them but after a few weeks I noticed the tables had turned. The younger students tended to gravitate to the older ones. As I watched and learned from them I realized they liked the control and structure the older students brought to the table. I have learned to build on that scenario over the last year by pairing younger and older students up.
