Here are some suggestions for interacting with students:
1. make yourself available or accessible; give your phone and email address, have an open door policy.
2. respect their opinions and make them feel important, show you care.
3. get to know your students on a more personal level.
4. show them that they are valued and get them involved- this is meaningful interaction.
5. encourage students to participate individually and in groups.
6. build trust and rapport, be a mentor; project yourself as a friend and ally.
7. be a great communicator, like Pres. Ronald Reagan.
8. give opportunities for sharing knowledge and skills; each student has something to contribute.
Thanks.
Interacting with every student simply shows the whole class that you are a real person and not just an entity that belches out information to them.
Interaction with students helps to get to know them. Students want to know that their instructor is actively concerned about their academic success. By interacting with all students you ensure that they are learning the material being presented and that they are accomplishing the goals set forth in the syllabus.
Hi Robert,
What a positive outlook you have for the criminal justice field. I can tell you prepare your students to be well rounded.
Patricia
Students at a career college have different goals and it is up to the instructor to keep ALL the students involved. In the criminal justice program that I am involved in, its important to discuss all aspects and all fields of study. Not all of our students are intersted in becoming police officers, some are interested in corrections, social work or other related fields. I need to be able to provide examples in each field and bring in guest speakers who are more well versed in the area.
Hi Vida,
Students like it when we become personable with them. They feel that they matter and that we are approachable. Simply by greeting students and telling them bye we produce a very welcoming and comfortable environment.
Patricia
Patricia,
I try to make it a point to greet the students as they walk in the halls to other classes and on days that they do not attend my class. I also have made it a habit to thank the class for attending each time class has ended and stand at the door and say good bye to each student.
Since I have begun this practice, I have noticed that they students response has increased and I have had few problems in class.
Hi Nelia,
Interaction is important with students. Students need to know that they are important.
Patricia
Hi Deborah,
We do have to remind our students occasionally that they must keep their eyes on the prize.
Patricia
Some students tend to get in their own way and I find that it is important to advise them to stay open minded.
It is important to have interaction with every student so we will know if they can follow-up with the current lesson. We will know if they understood the lesson or not. They can also share valuable information that are relevant to the lesson.
With the courses that I teach, the interaction with my students in the lab is the best way for me to assess their knowledge of the course content on an individual basis. I make sure that I work with each student one on one at one point every lab. It also gives them a chance to ask any questions that they might not of wanted to ask in class.
Hi Daniel,
Students need to know that we truly care about them. Having a professional relationship with students is good. Students will open up to you and approach you whenever they feel they are connected to you.
Patricia
Hi Michelle,
Students need to know that we care, and they also need to know that we are there to help them succeed.
Patricia
Interacting with each student helps you to get to know them better. You as an instructor get a feel for how they learn most effectively. This also makes the student feel that you care about them and are interested in their individual success in the class. These things are important to help keep the student active and motivated in class.
Hi Jan,
I concur! Students need to be reminded that there is a light at the end of the tunne,l and they need to keep their eyes on the prize.
Patricia
Getting to know your students develops a sense of trust and opens the lines of communication.
Interacting with every student helps all students feel included. This creates an environment where class discussions are more productive and everybody participates. It helps each student feel valued and heard. These are very important aspects of any class.
If the student does not feel valued, they will not put forth as much effort in the class. Psychologically, when they feel that the instructor knows them and interacts with them personally, they put the best foot forward.
I have been trying out this concept this week in class. During our last session, I gave the class an activity. During this activity, I called students up individually to chat with me about where they are at with the class material. We talked about challenges faced and overcome. It was a great time for me to encourage them and get them caught up on their grades. I felt this was immensely beneficial, as this class consists of new students who are just coming back to school. Awesome results!
Hi Patricia,
As shared in the Harvard video for this module, the interaction shows students that they are part of the "club."
Since I teach a lot of night classes, we utilize regular breaks to let students stand-up and stretch after a long day of work. I use these opportunities to walk the class and the hallway to engage students one-on-one.
Best wishes,
Rick
It is important to have interaction with every student for a number of reasons. You need to get to know your students, at least to the point where you can understand what fears, concerns, distractions, abilities, and the like that they may have. It is also important so they they all feel like you are concerned about them. If you only focus on interaction with a select few students, then imagine how those who do not get your attention would feel. You want all of your students to realize that they can come to you with problems and questions. You can help accomplish that goal through interaction.
