I like to walk through the classroom before class and greet students individually to get a pulse of the classroom and student population. It really sets the tone for the day... Also during our production times (we are culinary school) I wander and help ans status check students, they appreciate the help and guidance and ability to have me there as opposed to them coming to me for help.
It is extremely important to have intereaction(s) with every student to help them feel that they are "in" and that YOU want them to be with the "IN" crowd.
When instructors show each student they genuinely care, and they show a genuine interest in the student, the student builds trust with the instructor. Trust is a HUGE factor to help reduce students from getting angry at you, cheating, and possibly failing. When they know that you have a vested interest in their success, they do not want to disappoint you. In most cases, they want to live up to your expectation of them.
Interacting with students also means you get to enjoy your job as an instructor more. Instead of having to manage the class flow, that job is done for you when students are engaged and are having fun. Students are more at ease in the learning process when they have fewer "uncertainties" to deal with, and thus allows them more focus on the end result.
Students need to have a sense of belonging and interacting with each student can help give the feeling. I also think interaction with the students makes the class more interesting for the students.
Hi Joe,
I love the different quotes. They are so true. You have to get to know your students by interacting one-on-one.
Patricia
It builds rapport and provides an avenue for respect/growth. A mentor once told me, "you can't manage from afar; that is, managing through group meetings or class discussions will only go so far, the human soul desires one to one interaction, it promotes value of the indivudual and when a human soul feels valued you have their ear." Or as John Maxwell says, "before you ask for someone's hand win their heart."
From my experience, interacting with each student helps them feel included, reduces disruption, increases retention and helps me to get to know the students.
Sometimes students start to lose interest or have declining grades and it's important to understand that there may be personal situations that are interfering. I had a student once that a few weeks in term started routinely coming in to class late and when we discussed it they were having some genuinely unavoidable problems and we were able to work through them.
Hi David,
I concur! Every student is different, therefore we have a challening responsibility to learn each student so that we can interact and communicate effectively.
Patricia
Patricia,
Everyone is different and as such, I believe good instructors recognise this individuality. You can only achieve this by interacting with your students. Equally as important, it tells them something about you. The more they get to know you, the more likely that they will gain an understanding of what motivates you to help them succeed.
David
Interaction with each student is very important. I find a variety of students in my classes. By examining their individual styles, I can work to find ways to engage them in the class. Interacting with them gives the student the feeling of involvement and acceptance in class. Once they feel accepted and involved, I find they tend to be better students.
I really like Prof. DeLong's remarks about students feeling that they are either "in the club" or "not in the club." I've seen this in the classroom. If a student feels that he/she is "not in the club" that student may be present in the class but will not be engaged in the course. The best learning environment is one where everyone feels that he/she is "in the club" and is engaged in the course. It also makes for a much better experience for the instructor.
Every student should feel that they are an important member of the class. Not having interaction with every student may make a student feel that they are just a number.
Students want to know if they are in or out of the group. Instructors can help with this is process by interaction with each student. When a student feels part of a group, he or she is more accountable. Students will encourage and challenge each other to complete the program.
Every student counts, so by acknowleding them you are giving them your attention and letting them know that you are there for them. They will feel more comfortable with you knowing that you are available for them and their needs.
Having good communication with your students can help the interaction between both. The student will feel confortable and will be able to trust the instructor if any problems or concerns. Therefore it will be easier to interact with each other.
I beleive that interacting with students is a vital part of the learning process. Allowing students to see that I am a person, a humanbeing who loves the job of teaching. Interacting with my students allows me to share my journey of training,working in my field,my successes as well as the ways that I overcame obstacles in my life.
Everyone has something to contribute regardless of the topic or subject matter. Sometimes it is more effective when others in the class can explain or discuss the point because it is from their perspective rather than from a theoretical point of view. This also helps improve the self-esteem of those that contribute and makes them feel engaged.
Interacting tells each student that you care about them as individuals. It usually does not take much before the students come to enjoy the individual attention you show them. As they share more of themselves with you as the teacher, I find I try harder to give them more meaning feedback. That makes me a better teacher.
Hi Doug,
You're right! I have been teaching for 22 years, and I still am learning.
Patricia
Because it will make them feel more satisfied with college life as well as give them more confidence in their studies. I take a genuine interest in my students academic career and try to help each one meet their goal. I find they are more motivated, more open to discuss things that bother them, they are more approachable, and eagerly take part in classroom discussions. When you genuinely care about them as people, they don't want to disappoint you. I also had the neat experience this term to know each student's creativity level as they surprised me many times with creative and out of the box thinking.
