Constant recognition and excitement about their progress. Assuring them that they are on the right path to their success. Always make sure that the students know that you are available to help them achieve their goals.
To be a great educator in regards to alleviating student fears of not succeeding, I think it is important to share your own life experience of the human condition and to portray "real" emotions. Make your students want to emulate you, and once that happens, occasionally share your thought process. Your students will develop profound respect for you.
I believe that making the course outline and explaining the expectations in the class are a start at helping the get over the fear of not being successful in their college work.
I have also found that on the first day of class letting my students know that I am invested in their success in my class and that if that lack understanding or have any questions I am available.
I would use myself as an example of success. When I went back to college, I had been out of the classroom for almost a decade. There were many concerns about whether I could successfully complete my training. I was not a great student in high school; almost didn't graduate at all. I had terrible test taking skills and lost interest early on in a semester. I had enormous support at home and at school to help me stay positive throughout my time in college and in the end I graduated at the top of my class with a 3.96 GPA. I even gave birth partway through training!
Daniel,
So true. Knowing their instructor is listening to them is a valuable rapport builder for students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Daniel,
When faced with such student attitudes I have an exercise that has my older students using their life experiences to problem solve a situation. It is laid out so there is close to a 100 percent success factor. This shows them they can be successful and that we (they and myself) will work together to build on their success if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Lots of encouragement! And something I tell them "Just do it afraid" It stumps them for a while but they move on.
I too discuss my experiences as a student, both online and in the class room. I discuss what I found that worked for me and other students. I further discuss my experiences as an instructor to encourage and guide them to success.
The art of listening can be one of our greatest assets.
Right. The positive feedback and critiques help to guide them along the right path to success. Knowing their fears helps you fix any problems that might arise to keep them in class and to succeed.
Exactly. But how do you deal with the older students who complain about having an "old brain" and feel they should be given slack. Essentially, they feel that they can't compete and use the fact that being out of school puts them behind.
First I need to get to know my students with respect to their fears, strengths and weaknesses. In addition, it is also important to know their goals, work and educational experiences. Once I know my students, then the chance of helping them greatly increases.
For both the younger and older students, I meet with them to get to know them. I try to learn their fears regarding their program and the course that I am teaching. During that meeting and after, I encourage them and try to understand what problems they are experiencing with their work. For some courses such as algebra, I give a pretest to determine their level of skill prior to beginning the course. This way I can see their progress compared to the rest of the classes based on their starting level. I like to give help with respect to developing study habits, approaches to taking notes, studying the material and what to focus on. The other areas I address is making sure they understand the assigned task.
For some of the older students who complain they have an old brain and should be given slack, I don’t accept it. I try to build their confidence, try to fill the holes in their study habits so they can compete with the younger students.
Many students that I encounter ohave certain expectations. I begin by giving them a synopsis of what I expect from the class in terms of comprehension. Usually students apply personal experience and answer me with knowledge they have acquired or learned. I use their information as a tool for me to focus on their strengths and weaknesses. I use open-ended questions, and relate examples that would be applicable to the subject at hand. It is also important to be tactful, if the students answer is incorrect. It is important to give them assertive feedback with the correct answer.
Two things come to mind:
First, start slowly, simply. Keep the exams simple at the beginning, getting more and more challenging as the course evolves. This way they can build on success, rising to the challenge instead of feeling overwhelmed.
Second, give constant, positive feedback. Not feel-good fluff, but encouragement for their successes and constructive critiques where needed.
Dana,
What are some way that you help your students get comfortable in the course and develop confidence they can be successful?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
One of the ways that I help students in order to gauge their comfort level/competencies is to provide a refresher type of exercise within the first two days of class so that I can assess the various levels students are performing at, and with that knowledge I can tailor my instruction to each student.
Another great way to have students feel more comfortable is to determine why they are taking a particular series of courses/getting their degree or diploma in a chosen field; again another way that you can guide the student in achieving their goals.
Making the students comfortable and confident is the first stage in success for college students.
I have personally overcome many obstacles in my college journey, and I often share my story with students that visibly are suffering from performance anxiety. What I learned is anxiety is a key factor in destroying motivation. Some people can obsess about the potential devastation of failure and allow this obsession to become an obstacle. I always give my students praise and recognition so they can hopefully overcome these fears.
Dr. Wilson,
You hit upon a critical point. We need to listen to our students. If we listen as you know we can learn so much in terms of how to support their learning efforts and career development.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Tom,
This is a tremendous resource for your students. The guide you are providing helps them to make progress in their learning if they are willing to put forth the effort required.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
