Becoming more approachable to students.
I work in a school where one of my primary job functions (and that of 3 others in my position) is to answer questions and assist students with every lab project in our curriculum. I've noticed that some students seem hesitant to approach us with questions and some have even said they don't want to bother us while we're grading. I try to tell students that we're here to help, but some still see us as unapproachable. How can we help our students feel more comfortable with asking questions?
Hi Heidi,
Good suggestion. This I think will help with creating a connection for the instructor.
Gary
Maybe one thing you could try would be using other students that have approached you as a " bridge" for those students that you feel are unobtainable.
on the first day of class, as I introduce myself to my students, I dicuss my experiences as a student and remind them that I once was a student too. I remind them that I am here to help them at all times. Lab times and contact information is clearly stated in syllabus.
I also talk about the pitfalls of working without guidence on projects. A reminder of the cost of tuition can also be very motivating to student dedication and asking for help.
Hi Emma,
It is common for some students not to ask for any help or input from the instructor. This is why it is important for you to go to them as you are currently doing. This creates a connection that will help them to ask for help as the course progresses.
Gary
I have had this same problem, and while I'm constantly encouraging students to call me over when they get to a specific point in their projects if they need help I find that not all take me up on it even though they do need help. I will make it a point to connect with each one as they begin their work and hopefully this will encourage them to seek out my help when needed
Ihave found that a written letter works well
Hi Charles,
Be glad to. If you have some specific questions please let me know and I will respond to them. Many of the things that are done in fact to face settings can be used online as well in terms of creating a learning community.
Gary
I like this information for a face to face classroom session but please share some light on an online class environment...thank you:).
I have found that students need to be asked simple questions that they care about.
How is your lab going?
What are you working on ?
Share related personal experiences...
Then I ask what situations have they encountered to be obsticals to their progress.
I find it to be a straight forward reply in most cases if it is related only to the lab.
In a good bit of the siturations a combination of personal and professional barriers need to be addressed for a proper response.
At that point, hopefully, a level of trust and confidence in a positive end result can be developed between you and the student for action.
Hi Laura,
Can you approach each student individually and chat with them a few minutes as the course is first getting started? Develop some rapport with them so they start to see you as a resource rather than a school figure. Is there an opportunity to define your role and then give examples of the support you can provide at the beginning of the class phase? The key is for them to see you as a resource not a person they have to call on if they are having trouble.
I hope I am responding to the forum question in a helpful way. Sometimes it is hard to respond without some additional details. So if you would like some additional input please let me know and I will be glad to add to my input.
Gary
Hi Laura,
One suggestion I would make is to be clearly available to help students. Don't do anything else until you have had a chance to talk with each student in the lab. Move around the lab and inquire about what they are doing and at what completion point they are. This will get them comfortable and they will see that you are there to help as demonstrated by your interest in their lab work. Work to develop rapport with each student and this will help them to open up and see you as an integral part of their learning pathway.
Gary
It's not a question of office hours with my students. While I do teach in a classroom occasionally, my primary job is to be there for students when they have questions, need equipment or are having a hard time understanding requirements in a lab project. When I'm at work, it's all office hours! I remember being similarly intimidated by supervisors as a student at this school as well. I'm just wondering how we can get around that after the first couple weeks!
Just a thought about this... Are you setting up "office hours" that are specifically set aside for students to be able to come to you and ask you questions about your labs? That way they know that time is especially set aside for them and they are not "interrupting" anything because it is "their" time. Plus this gives them a chance to ask you questions in private or in a smaller group setting rather than asking their question in front of the entire group, which they may be embarrassed to do. I hope this suggestion is helpful!
