I'm human too!!!
I feel it is important to let the students know that you (as an instructor) are human too! I've seen students come into a class and tremble if they get called on to awnser a question, and in some cases just to talk in front of a group. Getting the students comfortable or relaxed in the class room situation is an important first step in the students success.
Jeff, I’m with you on this one; a lot of instructors think they’re so above their students and that creates a barrier between them, not allowing the student to feel confident with their hard work. A word of encouragement, and even letting them know they’re right when we make a mistake could go a long way.
I feel that it is important to set the tone in the learning environment, right from the start of the class.
For instance, the first day of class I discuss my syllabus and then I dedicate the rest of the class to (what I refer to as) "comfort-making" activities. These activities create interaction from all of the students and it allows the students to establish comfort in the class and to also see that I am someone that is approachable and they are also able to learn from their peers.
Hi Cherie,
The added factor of being ex-navy already gives you a set of experiences that will serve you in good stead in the future. You are right on course! Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Gary,
Thank you for the helpful information, I intend to keep my compass in the direction of my students education. My first two weeks was a rocky honeymoon stage, but I will draw upon my ex-navy background and use my disciplinary skills to redirect errant behavior and keep everyone on point.
Cherie
Hi Cherie,
Your forum question is a very common one for instructors. The bottom line is how can you do your just to the best of your ability and not get caught up in all of the politics that surround you?
There are a number of strategies that you can try to make your work place a positive for you.
One is to try and position yourself in a central position with everyone on staff and faculty. You will quickly see how the "camps" divide themselves on various school issues and how the students see these faculty members.
Another is to be yourself and establish your professional personalty and the students will start to see you as such a person and not put you into one camp or another. Also, make sure that you are careful to whom you share information as you never know how this information will be relayed to others.
When students start to "hit buttons" related to faculty information redirect the conversation back to the course content and also let them know you know what they are doing and don't let them engage in that behavior. A few times of this and they will not attempt such activities in your presence.
Good luck with this tough situation.
Gary
There are days when the hardest work is not with instructing the students, but with the politics going on at your school. As a new instructor to this school I find my students are better informed about these politics than I am and seem to know how to press all the right buttons if any of the instructors are up for a promotion or have had counseling. They know which instructors don't like whom and all the back biting. Any strategies for me to weather the storm and keep what is important in my classroom, their education and future?
Donald,
That sounds like a great idea! I used to do a "muddiest point" survey at the end of each class. Students would say, in less than 10 words each, what part of the discussion was LEAST clear to them. It went very well. This idea seems similar. I will try to use it in my classes.
I agree with this, I do something I call the good, the bad and the ugly. I ask the students to confess to mistakes because we can't possiblly make all the mistakes by ourselves. No point loss just used as a good learning for all so that we don't all make the same mistake. I also point out the good things that were done in class and the ugly would be if we broke something. I find that the students are very responsive to this and try to help each other.
I too give the students my background history, this helps them understand where I come from and how I got to where Im at. I also share personal things that happens to me, issues I have to deal with, this lets them know I'm human to.
Agreed, students love to see that we can screw up just as much as they can. It definately builds trust with a student when they see their instructor take responsibility for something they have done.
I know I will not be able to pronounce all of my students names correctly, I ask if I have pronounced it right. If not I make an effort to learn the correct pronunciation quickly. I also tell them that I know how they feel when someone says their name wrong, because almost no one pronounces my name correctly.
I have found that if I can laugh at myself then the students can also. If I am human than they can be human and make mistakes and learn from them Jana
A comfortable classroom atmosphere goes a long way to encourage class participation and learning.
Phil,
I agree with you. I think that's why Julia Child became so popular. People were able to relate to her and therefore weren't afraid to get right in and try recipes. Mistakes were acceptable
I agree with you Jeff. It is important to make the student feel as relaxed as possible. I can remember being as nervous as a cat the first time I stood in front of a class. Just that experience alone helps me relate to the student that may be shy or feels uncomfortable standing and answering a question. You also have to remember that some people may never be completely comfortable speaking in front of a group. These people need to be encouraged and applauded for their efforts.
we all make mistakes. Don,t try to cover them up.
I think it is crucial to show students that you are a person with individual weaknessess also.
I find that students can more easily relate to someone who does not come across as a know it all.
Someone who shows that they are falable and can laugh off there mistakes while learning at the same time will show students what we want them to assume as a student and that is,learning can be fun.
Phil
I feel that Iam human when a student may ask me a question about history, which I answer with no problem. Then, their next question may be "Professor, How do you spell ...?
