Security
What about letting students know they can contact you the instructor for extra help if needed?
James, what are some of the triggers you watch to ensure your students are progressing versus just not asking for help because they fear that by asking it shows they may not be learning? For some students it can be a challenge to ask for help so be careful to give too much autonomy beyond what they are ready to accept.
James Jackson
I Think it is very important that the students feel comfortable to talk to teacher.I like the students to go about there lab task. and learn on there own.Knowing that if they need me that I am there for them.With out judgment. this gives them the feeling of indepedence and a safety net if needed.
Chris, what a great best practice. The sharing of communication channels can really help build relationships within the classroom and provide students with a real sense of security.
Regards,
James Jackson
I agree that a feeling of security in the learning environment is crucial, and giving students ways to contact you (the instructor) at the very beginning of any course is letting them know that you are available to help anytime.
By the same token, I always encourage my classes to exchange 3 phone numbers with their classmates so all will have a back up system if they need help or were absent and need to get assignments. This way, the instructor is NOT the crutch and the only contact, but only one link in a contact chain. This classmate contact also becomes an adhesive to bind small groups who begin to look out for each other!
Trevor, there can be multiple meanings to the word security. I understand what you are saying and agree 100% that your students should not use you as a crutch. I do also feel it is vital you build a secure environment where any question is fair game and students feel they can fail in order to succeed. Without failure there can be little learning and without honest discourse with your students, there will be little trust and therefore security for them to learn.
Regards,
James Jackson
I think this is very important in helping to establish security within the learning environment. However, instructors must be careful not to become a complete security blanket for students. While students need to feel secure in being able to contact their instructor for assistance, I also feel that they need to learn to attack their assignments and attempt to complete them on their own. This too helps build self confidence and security.
