Knowledge is power
The more information the students have about what is going on and what is expected of them the more comfortable they will feel with what is going on around them. Don't leave a question unanswered.
Olufunke--
You make excellent points...knowledge does more than prepare students for their career. The postive impact on their self-esteem leads to all matter of great things for the student.
Susan
Knowledge is indeed POWER!
When students are equipped with the required knowledge needed to excel in their chosen fields,they have a sense of achievement,which positively impacts retention, self esteem and also prepares them for a successful career,especially as they gain confidence in the relevant knowledge acquired.This becomes so empowering and makes their commitment to pursuing careers all worth it.
I go all the way with this, when you as instructor build up the expectations of the students with passion and take them to the path of success that extensively contributes to retention and success in the classroom.
Probably, one of the most difficult task for the instructors of subjects that are no directly connected to the specific career is to related it to real situations in the future of the student. General education subjects for instance have to related to their usefulness to the career. To avoid the question Why I am taking this class for?
It is extremely important that the instructor constantly connects the lesson with the real life applications of the lesson to the students. If the instructor has a positive attitude and passion for their teaching/subject, then the students will connect strongly to the instructor and class material(s).
Students want to know they are learning from someone who has real knowlodge about the subject area that will hewlp them in their career.
Part of a student being able to excell in the future of their class is for the instructor to clearly explain the full expectations of the class and to make sure that the students understand those expectations. The student also needs to be able to connect with the subject matter. It is extremely important that the instructor constantly connects the lesson with the real life applications of the lesson to the students. If the instructor has a positive attitude and passion for their teaching/subject, then the students will connect strongly to the instructor and class material(s).
I've recently changed my first meeting with the class to be more lil buddy than "Hi I'm the boss and this is what you can't do". This has had a huge affect on my relationship with my students.
Great post. If you reiterate and explain each component; students feel better and knowing fully what is to be achieved as well as what is expected of them.
I agree, most people very uneasy when they are uninformed. Most people feel confident and empowered about their decision to come to school when they feel that they have had all of their questions answered.
Taking a few minuites to go around the class and getting to know each student will help you as an instructor share information relative to their intrests to assist instructors in keeping them engaged in the learning process.
If students have a good grasp of ciriculum and the way its presnted to them as positive then the Odds are that they at least have a good starting point in there class so that they can excell furture each day that there until they conclude.
