Instilling confidence
I have found that reassurance and the use of mnemonics during my electronics lectures can ease my students' fears of the "unknown". Via the careful use of reiteration during lectures, the exam scores soar, which directly elevate the confidence level; i.e. a very strong tool in the learning process. Analogies are also quite supportive. For the problematic cases, nothing is better than the "one on one" tutoring. Relating to the right to privacy laws, how does one recognize and handle an ADD, ADHD student without blatency? Short attention spans are not always earmarks.
When they do their labs and do a good job be sure to give them a pat on the back. It really helps them feel that someone cares. You would be suprised at the times I have done that and had a student tell me no one has ever done that before. They generally are very appreciative and respond better to new task.
Showing the parts as you are explaining them is a big help.I often ask the students questions on things we have covered and when they answer correctly I tell them "EXCELLANT GOOD JOB" This helps build confidence in great measures.
Repetition is the best teacher. Having students actually do the labs rather than observing other students do the work helps to instill student confidence.
Being able to show parts and explain them to the student is very important tool. This will install confrdence that when in the lab they know what the parts looks like and how they work.
I agree,reiteration of information is important during a lecture,explaining something 2 or 3 different ways to help the understanding is a big help,plus when at all possible,doing as much hands on during a lecture seems to help also.
What? Can you repeat that? Oh! What? Can you repeat that? Oh yeah! What? Can you repeat that? Huh,Oh yeah! What? Can you repeat that one more time in a different way? Oh yeah now I get it,I think!Now that you've got it,can you explain it to me? Thanks. Oh yeah, thanks.
Rick I agree that confidence is a major factor in the learning process and I think also the retention factor. As far as ADD, ADHD I feel that can be a slippery slope. It can be hard for us as educators to identify those individuals with real problems and those that just don't care. Without an accomodation plan that comes right out and tells you there is a problem we have to tread lightly.
