Praising Students
I find that by acknowledging students who follows your direction well and meets the competencies goes a long way in boosting their morale. But i only allow them to cherish that moment for that short moment so that they do not become over confident of themselves.
Hi Aaron,
Right you are. Thank you for sharing this concern. Excessive and unwarranted praise will soon create a distance between the students and the instructor as well as reduce student excitement about the field.
Gary
While it is very true that praising students for quality submissions and input will work toward making the students more efficacious, that praise must be for quality work. Unwarranted praise will likely produce the blue ribbon effect whereby the student may feel entitled to praise and superior marks. Care must be taken to both praise and criticize students in a productive manner.
Hi Gary,
Great point.Acnowleging the troubled student with praise is imperative since the positive feedback can sucessfully bring them back instead of shutting down and worse giving up. We all have good, bad, and horrible days. That word of encouragement is like a helping hand for a drowning person. This solidifies trust, gratitude, and loyalty toward the insructor.This promotes student retention and greater knowledge.
Carlos
Hi Marietta,
Good point about being able to praise each student. Over the years it seems that I have had to search high and low to find something to praise a student for. At times I think I was praising them for just having a body temperature. But the pay off was they they became engaged in the learning process and they were able to successfully complete the course.
Gary
I know that I like to be praised and encouraged when I do a good job, it gives me the extra motivation to keep going. I try very hard to make sure that I do that with my students. Sometimes it is difficult because you have to dig real hard to find something that you can use to give them the encouragement they need to go further.
I look for something in each student to give honest positive feedback. For some, it might be something small. But I am always sincere. I try to focus on the positive rather than the negative.
I have several students that need constant approval. I find it awkward sometimes constantly praising these students when I see others who are quiet and not seeking my attention. I get the feeling they must feel left out. I will try and make sure I praise all the students, without coming across fake.
Hi Harold,
This is a key point. Everyone thinks they are unique just like everyone else. So we instructors need to talk with them, encourage them and make sure they see the value of what they are learning. By doing so you will be teaching the entire class but encouraging each individual student.
Gary
It is good to acknowledge not just one student but all of them as they all learn differently you must be able to encourage all of them never forget you are teaching the enitre class not just one person.
Hi Amy,
Student work groups are a good way of helping students to get to know each other and to share. Just make sure that you are aware of the dynamics of how the pair is working together and that each is evaluated for the contributions each makes. Don't be afraid to create different pairings if you find that a pair is not a good fit with each other's personality.
Gary
It is also helpful to allow students who excell in a certain area to work one-on -one with other students who may need more attention.
Hi Peter,
Nothing wrong with having a "cheerleader" behind you. As an instructor you can fulfill that role when needed to keep the students moving forward toward their career goals.
Gary
WE ALL NEED A LITTLE LOVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WITH THE PRESSURES OF BEING IN SCHOOL WITH SO MANY PROFESSIONALS AS INSTRUCTORS IT CAN BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATING, SO I TELL THEM THAT MISTAKES ARE A PART OF LEARNING, AND SEE THE POSITIVES IN THEIR EFFORTS, GIVING THEM THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SEEING THE POSITIVES IN THEIR EFFORTS. THIS THEN ENCOURAGES THEM TO DO BETTER THE NEXT TIME.
I also agree. When I find something to praise a student about that is having a hard time. I can definitly see a difference in their self confidence and it seems that they even try harder to get things right. It puts a smile on my face to see them making that effort and not giving up.
Hi Hanna,
You are right sometimes you have to look hard to find something to praise a student about. What you will find though that even if you have work at finding something you can say to that student the fact you did say it and that you noticed their work really helps with their self confidence in the course.
Gary
It's challenging to find something to praise when the students are struggling. I try to notice improvements and encourage them to seek help.
I believe making the students feel rewarded is very important in their learning process because it will help them to strive to succeed
Hi Glenn,
The key is to keep them forward focused in their thinking so by giving them feedback and then asking them to plan for their next assignment you are helping them to do such.
Gary
