I think building rapport is important because once you know why they are here or what brought them here it's easy to relate with them. The ones that don't seem to open up sometimes it makes it hard but I try to relate every day occurrence like when a nervous patient might not say much, just how they could handle it and try to make them feel more comfortable. Also try to put yourself in their shoes.
This is the best way to do it. I do not like silly little games. I do try to add some humor in the classroom, never wanting to make anyone feel out of place.
Dave,
You are earning respect from the first class forward which in turns set you up to develop rapport with them. When respect and rapport is present it is fun to be in the classroom or lab with students and enjoy seeing them moving forward in their learning development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Any of us will learn or take ideas better if we have confidence and/or trust in the giver of knowledge. I challenge myself before the end of the first class of a course to memorize the student name and where they graduated HS from. I'm building rapport the first night that will carry on through the course. Of course, it has been stated many times that rapport with a student is good - not becoming their "friend."
Susan,
This is a comfortable supportive way to interact with students and earn their respect. From there it is a building process to develop rapport and increase their engagement in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One reason that developing a rapport with students is important is that it helps to make the classroom atmosphere a friendly, personal one. If I start out the day asking about Ron's sick child, or Jessica's date over the weekend, it signals a relationship beyond instructor/student. It sets up a situation in class that is focused on learning, but also friendly.
Kathleen,
Good way to provide an open and supportive learning environment. This way your students will be at ease in the class and feel that they can contribute easily via asking questions or participating in discussions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If the students don't trust the instructor, they are less likely to "buy in" to the course. I like to start a new class by reminding students that it's ok to "fail." Making mistakes is part of the learning curve. We don't enter a class because we're experts in that field. We take a class because we want to learn more about it. I also encourage students to ask questions. If one student has a question on that topic, it's a safe bet that someone else does too.
Becky,
Trust, respect and rapport are three elements of connecting with students and creating a learning environment that benefits everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rapport is an important part of gaining respect as well as bringing an element of the human touch to the teacher-student relationship. Students seem to learn better from those that they can relate to, and aids to developing an interest in what the instructor has to say.
Willie,
Good point about respect. It must be earned and it needs to be two way in terms of development. With respect comes trust and this is such an important part of the teaching learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think building rapport with students shows that you respect them. Along with our students, we must show respect for each other, for the learning process, and for the institution where it is occurring. Another reason why building a rapport is important is because it shows that we care. We must care about students; they must see and respond to them as individuals. They also need to care about learning and show that they want students to learn the material.
Sharon,
You use a key word in your comments that really focuses on student success and that is empathy. Thank you for these comments in relation to the development of rapport with students. When an instructor has the respect of students and has developed rapport with them the stage is set for an exciting and enjoyable course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Building rapport is a process and like a garden, needs to be maintained throughout the educational journey. One element I feel is imperative in creating rapport is building a relationship of trust which is the wellspring from which just about everything else will flow! The emotional component in learning is huge. As mentioned in the “Building Rapport with Students†chapter, I don’t think it is common sense so much as it is having sensitivity/empathy that is key in becoming a successful teacher.
Building rapport with students builds a trust system. Students who feel comfortable around you and confide their trust in you, will communicate better than those who do not. When a student feels they can trust you, they have an easier time approaching you with problems they may be having that could potentially be holding them back from achieving academic success.
Lisa,
Yes it does. Also with trust and understanding a foundation is build for respect and rapport on the part of the students as well as the instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Learning retention increases when there's trust and understanding.
Chris,
This is when teaching is fun. You know the students are excited about coming to class and they are engaged in the learning process. It is at this point you can be the learning leader you want to be and use the opportunity to impact their lives and their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Aside from the obvious ones like respect, trust, etc..., FUN is a big one. Good rapport with students makes the class fun and enjoyable for them. They look forward to coming to class each day
Keeping pace with the students and their learning environment helps maintain the balance of a relationship that helps students learn.
