Get to Know Students
I try to get to know my students and make my instruction relevant to them and their needs.
Amity,
I use ice breakers in my classes as well for the reasons you state. They help to get the students talking, laughing and sharing with each other. Gives them a base from which they can interact as we get into the depth of the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Getting to know your students can sometimes be a challenge. I personally have a fairly large class in a non-traditional classroom which adds another challenge. I have found when a new class starts ice breakers help not only myself, but the students. They get to know more about their classmates and myself. I also talk to them before class and let them know I am always available .
I agree that making sure students know you can relate back to them and them to you is vital to maintaining rapport. If a student does not feel that the end result is positive, there is no point of you being there for them.
Dan,
Good way to connect with students since they will appreciate the fact that you were once a student yourself. Many students forget that every instructor they have was once a student so he or she does understand what they are going through.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think letting the students know that you were in their shoes before. Also show them how important it is to you
Jebeta,
This informal chats are very valuable in the earning of their respect and the development of rapport. Also, as you mention they help you to get a "read" on the students and their feeling about the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I talk to my students everyday before i start class, to make sure that they know that I am always available.
Stacy,
Very true. I currently have over 300 students in my classes so I find myself striving to create that rapport even though I have only limited interaction with students on an individual basis.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is more difficult to get to know each student when you have a larger class. However, you can build a rapport with students without knowing their names by showing you are invested in their education, knowledgeable about the subject, and care about their success.
I really like this ~ sometimes school can be very stressful & being able to add the personal touch to teaching my students lets them know that I really do care about them and their continued success!
Jennifer,
This is a great way to gain insight into the backgrounds of your students and as you say have some additional information from which you can work when and if they start to learn toward leaving school.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Getting to know your students, know their names and know something personal about them is something experienced successful educators point to as a key aspect to being a well respected teacher. In a very large class environment this becomes more of a challenge.
I like to give my students a get to know you form that I use to get to know them and why they chose this field. I then use this as a helpful tool later when they run into challenges or wish to quit. We discuss their original goals and aspirations and it works very well.
Philandria,
Good way to get students settled into a new course and feeling accepted as part of the learning community. This is a great foundation upon which to build for the rest of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
