It lets them know that you do acknowledge that they are in the class and each and every student is important. That's why when I am lecturing or asking questions I look or call upon everyone in the room.
I find that getting everyone involved in the discussion makes learning more relevant to the students. Participation empowers everyone in class.
Hi Christine,
I am a firm believer in one of my favorite quotes, "A student does not care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
Patricia
I am there for every student not just the ones who approach me, are more engaged, or easy to manage.
I have seen this, too, with the nonresponsive students who are that way for reasons other than nervousness or quiet personalities. I have also seen students clam up in whole-class discussion, who had once been moderately active, after group work. Sometimes, students who are capable and show it as independent participants are the ones leaned on to carry dysfunctional groups. After they feel taken advantage of in group settings, they no longer want to be involved in whole-class discussion. They feel abused by the instructor, and shut down. The trick is to sufficiently monitor groups to keep under-/non-productive members from taking advantage of others.
It is important to establish a rapport with each student - to show them you have an interest in their growth, success, and presence in your class. I find students respond well when you show them you care about them being the best that they can be.
Hi Todd,
You must be careful not to make it too personal, otherwise the students will look upon you as a friend and not an instructor. This is a fine line.
Patricia
The more personal connections you have with each student, the more a problem within the class will be avoided. You will have "an angle" to talk with the student. As apposed to just talking to them with a teacher/student relationship.
It is important to interact with every student because as an instructor you want each and every student to feel important and included.
Students should feel confortable in their learning environment so they can focus on what they are learning and not their emotions.
By interacting with each student you demonstrate that each student is cared about and equal. You also can use the information gleened to assess the individual needs of a student. While moving from one student to another you can also observe those successful traits in a student and recognize warning signs. In short, interaction means you can meet each student where they are to encourage success.
Maureen Lisi-MacReady
I will always notice when a student is not participating and when I break them into groups they'll take advantage even more and let the other members take over. I usually keep a list of study questions and I'll say "i've noticed you're finished with your discussion, here's a question or two you can research for the class and discuss" I find that doing it that way may give that student a sense of responsibility and maybe take it more seriously, and if they are too shy to present they still have their group members to present once he or she has researched their question. It also helps with the other members of the group because if you as the instructor have noticed their lack of participation then they for sure have and probably do not like having to pick up any slack for the slacker. They will then appreciate that the instructor has stepped in.
Hi Roy,
I constantly ask my students as I am lecturing, are there any questions, am I clear, is everyone with me, etc. Invariably there is someone who is very lost and will not say a word. Communication is key from both the instructor and student.
Teaching is a two-way street. The teacher must communicate facts and ideas to his/her students. The students must communication what they understand, their concerns, and their questions to the teacher. Without open lines of communication, teaching cannot take place.
In addition, some models of learning state that new knowledge is best incorporated when it attaches to previous knowledge. When a teacher learns what the student's current level of knowledge is, that teacher can more effectively facilitate learning
First, to make sure they are actually learnin the content of the class and are able to effectively apply it. Additionally, failure to interact may give the student the impression that the instructor does not care about their success resulting in poor performance which could in turn lead to anger and hostility.
To see where the students attitdue is each day and their mood is which can effect their learning ability
Patricia,
I am a firm believer in this one. by interacting with each student, you can better judge changes in moods and potential conflicts. Some students need more engagement and positive reinforcement and some just need to know you are not a robot. By engaging with your students, they respond in incredible ways. Again, learning can be fun (or less painful than it appears).
Greg
Hi Susan,
We should be friendly to ALL students, and we definitely should not show favortisim.
Patricia
Hi Alan,
Rapport building with students is very important. Each student is different, and some students a rapport will happen quickly, others you may have to constantly work at it.
Patricia
An instructor should develop rapport with all students in the class. Based on student personalities, situations, etc., that can be easier in some situations than others. Interaction with each student will help the instructor determine the best rapport-building methods to utilize.
First, it avoids issues of appearing that there are "pet" students. We have to avoid any perception of favoritism. Also, connecting one-on-one builds trust and understanding, for both the student and the instructor. Lastly, problems can be recognized and address.
