Rolonda,
This is critical for a classroom setting. Feeling accepted and supported gives students the opportunity to settle into a course and focus on being successful. This is how their learning will be enhanced.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students need to feel accepted because it makes for a much better classroom setting if everyone is able to get along and understand that we all are different but share the same commonality to learn. Acceptance makes a person feel comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings, therefore it allows them to be themselves.
Gary,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You are an inspiration because you were able to focus on being in the college environment and you were successful. If we can get our older students to see that they are being years of experience into the classroom and that in fact they can be successful then we can help them build their self confidence which leads to success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I was 56 years of age and came back into college environment. I can really relate to the adult coming back into school. The fears of being excepted by the younger students played heavy on my mind. But I found it completely backwards from my fears. I was totally excepted and found myself involved with the younger student helping them with the labs and learning of the subject. It was great!
Harry,
It is a sequence just as you have laid out. Each step builds on the other. Trust and respect are the foundation upon which rapport is developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students seem to do better in class and are more involved in class as they fell more accepted. As they feel more accepted their confidences in what they are doing becomes so much better.
Thomas,
It is critical that students feel accepted in the learning environment. The more they do the more engaged they will be. As their learning leader the connection you make with them will enhance their engagement in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
if they feel accepted it takes away that unexcepted feeling and they will feel more relaxed and able to do the class functions with their classmates.
MacDameon,
Validation is an important re-enforcer for students especially those that are not to sure of their abilities or potential success in a course. Their self confidence will increase as the validation is provided.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Validating students helps them feel more adequate in the success of their learning, the importants in the classroom gives them confidence to acheive at the highest level possible
Elizabeth,
Right you are. Learning needs to involve the integration of the senses to maximize the acquirement of the needed knowledge and skills. So the more the better. Keep up the effort of using not only visual and auditory but tactile as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
there is nothing like actually doing something rather then reading or being told about it
you can tell someone how to bring egg whites to a stiff peak but until they actually get a whip in their hand and start beating they will never know what its like
As an instructor, it's my job to make the student feel accepted despite their age difference. For Adults, they enter college to learn and refine their tools for employment in a good company. They can apply what they have learned and contribute their experiences in class. They depend on me to know my skill for guidance. For younger students, I have to present real life examples, such as, converting my class into a simulated work environment i.e. office, in order for the development of a high work ethic. Feeling accepted adds to ones confidence. Confidence, yields to positive learning and performance results.
Matthew,
Good way to approach student engagement. You are helping them to move from being passive learners to becoming active ones.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As an instructor I always encourage them to ask questions. In fact, my first class I let them know that there is no such thing as a dumb question. Why? Because I am sure one of their peers are thinking/feeling the same way.
-Matthew Schwartz
Tommy,
Very true. They feel a part of the learning community and are more willing to be a part of class discussions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If they feel accepted it enables them to possibly be a little more likely to participate in the class discussions. And gives them a feeling of belonging.
Tammy,
Good way to keep students moving forward while benefiting from their mistakes. This is how growth occurs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Building a team approach in class and the student seeing that others make mistakes allows that student to feel accepted. Everyone makes mistakes and it's those mistakes that help us to learn. When we see others making mistakes and knowing that the group as a whole accepts them it will contribute to the group and their success.
Sarah,
Yes, it is a win win and it is important to remember that as you complete your preparation. Then you can step into the class knowing your are prepared to be your students' learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
