Hi Hank,
Keep up the good working by helping your students. Students really appreciate a helpful instructor.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
We must be able to communciate effectively with our students. As mentioned, communication is a two way process. Michael, continue to converse with your students. Your students really do appreciate you talking to them.
Patricia
Be avalible. I find that the more accessable I am, the more questions I get, and the more problems we can solve.
Look for frustration. Frustrated students are really saying,"I don't get it" This is an opportunity for sucess.
Let the Sun Shine on You! When you are negative, there is a black cloud over your head....over the entire class too, and they don't want to get wet... When the Sun Shines on you, everyone in the class feels its warmth. Positivity breeds positivity. You have the ability to change the mood, outlook, opinions of the class....so make it a change for the good.
Instructors can keep an open communication with their students to allow for 2 way communication. This will prevent small problems from becoming large problems.
I use class discussion, and feedback Through discussion, we can determine if anything should or need to be changed, students learn quickly that the instuctor is there to help them this sets them at ease they then open up to discussion while becomeing more involved in the class work, works well for me!
I've found that if you act human to the students,they will appreciate it.Many students want compassion for what their concern is,if you lend them an ear,let them vent,or express their concerns,it goes a long way towards them respecting you as an educator.If you shut them out and act like you don't care,they will shut off and not give you their respect.
I have students write or state their expectations of what they expect from from an Instructor, risky sometimes because it can turn into a complaint box type class. However it helps me to quickly ID students who make have issues I need to address right away.
Hi Steve,
An important characteristic of an effective instructor is to be a good listener. Sometimes all a student wants you to do is to listen to them.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
I firmly believe in acknowledging my students with a simple smile and a hello. A smile and a hell can work wonders in your favor.
Patricia
Hi Jill,
Aren't rubrics great! I have a rubric for all my projects. I love them, and I have found that students love them too. Most of my students calculate their grade beforehand due to having the rubric.
Patricia
Showing the students you care and you are there for them and to help them in any way possible.
I have found that having a clear rubric eliminates challenges. I often have the student complete a rubric himself/ herself when submitting the project, or I have students use the rubric to grade one another's projects. Usually, we all have the same grade or it is very similar.
call the little punks on there actions after class..... BRING Back the Paddles!!!!!
I keep those who need to be delt with after class, I do this so if it is just a attention getting issue the student does not take time of mine from there class mates. So if it is truly important we have a good long talk if not they want to leave as soon as I will let them and never cause problems for my class again.
My first goal with these students is to try to understand exactly what the problem is. Listening carefully and attentively helps me do this, and I think it shows the student I take his complaint seriously. If the issue needs to be immediately addressed I do my best to do so, or I refer them to someone at the school who can help.
If it's something that can be worked on at the next break, or for the next day, then right in front of them I write myself a note to do that, and then I make certain that I actually do.
In either case, I do my best to keep the student informed about progress toward resolution of his complaint.
Hi David,
That me/now generation can exhaust all of your energy, if you allow them to. We must continue to give ALL students attention.
Patricia
Find out what the core issue is! Many times, I've found, students have a one sided belief because they only have one side of the story. Sometimes a simple explanation will suffice as to a policy, a procedure, etc. Sometimes defining an issue works, and sometimes I can't do anything at all except refer the student to a manager. Sometimes a student has to realize that's life! Mant times just listening helps a student.
I start off the day by saying hi to everyone and asking how they are and being aware of their answers.I find if I am upbeat usually the students follow and if I see someone who is off in someway I will ask if they want to talk or if all is OK.Starting the day with a smile makes a big difference and its easy to do.
My initial thought is that you have to prepare yourself for work. It seems the small percentage of challenging students take up 90% of your effort. I think an instructor needs to be very well prepared and very thorough in his/her delivery. Stay away from any kind of favoritism. The me/now generation charges into battle if you're not on top of your game.
In todays market challenging students is a very loosely use term. Is the challenge mental, phisical, combination???? An example, we have a deaf student training to become an automobile technician. To over come his challenge we hired an "signing" aid. So far he is doing excellent.
