reduce anxiety for students
to make sure to talk to them like your friend and explaun that everything will be alright
I agree with you, that sharing real life experiences is a way to get students to feel less stress and to relate to you as a person and not just their instructor. I feel that if I tell them stories of my experiences I grasp and hold their attention, and they are more interested in the information presented.
Linda, it is important to portray ourselves as learners, too. Sharing our feelings and mistakes can help learners identify with us, and us with them.
Michele Deck
I find that sharing my real life experiences in the profession helps the students to feel less stressed. If they can see that their instructors have been in their shoes and have had similar fears and anxiety about particular situations they can relate a little bit better. Sharing these stories helps students see that their instructors are human too and we all have to start somewhere.
I agree, I don't think it wrong to be friendly with your students, it's just when you become overly friendly. We must make sure that we keep that line drawn so that there are no misunderstandings.
I would talk to them and have them express there concerns .I would try to help them decrease there anxitey and then refer them to resource.
Chemo, that is such a critical description of the role of the instructor. Thanks for sharing it.
Michele Deck
Michele:
I totally agreed with your comment and the previous comment on reducing anxiety for students. Instructors should not address their students as friends, but truly a mentor to help them "get it. (to understand with out any doubts)" "Instructor, assist, mentor and be creative."
When I was a student, the instructor told us, his main purpose was for us to "get it," to be successful in our new careers. To be liked, would be a plus, but Instructors are not hired to be liked, but rather respected for our integrity and drive, and sincere compassionate to teach.
Heather, yes, the role of instructor is not the role of a friend. We can mentor, guide and teach.
Michele Deck
I agree with you. I think that if we make sure that students feel comfortable with the instructor, they will become comfortable with their classmates. However, as instructors we still need to make sure we act as an instructor not just a friend to them.
