Managing your first class
I don't personally think that the general amount of communication that takes place between the student and instructor is sufficient. One on one communication is vastly (in my opinion) being a thing of the past. Texting and tweeting and the electronic era is de-scentitizing one on one human communication. Your thought's?
Because communication face to face, is somewhat difficult for some students, we are gettng really good at adding to the communication using text messaging, facebook, emails and a school wide intra net. The students seem to respond to this type of communication very well. The draw back is that our applied general education instructors and those who employ our students indicate that our graduates are sorely lacking in the art of communication with patients and clients. To address this issue, we work very hard to meet and greet students on the first day and to engage them in conversations about the class they have entered. Unfortunately, we are having to do a lot of PD with staff on the same topic. Helping them understand that clear, open communication is an esential tool to effective classroom management and organization is a continual focus with the teaching team. Because we, as a school, want to be seen as a center for learning for the larger community, effective communication in the classroom and in the school, as a whole, is critical. The ongoing understanding of the importance of communcation in classroom managment and the managment of the school' s image in the community is essential. The direct communication as practiced in the classrooms is a wonderful way to get to know students in a more intimate way thus creating a classroom that is warm, engaging and safe.
Establishing a personal connection with each student is very important once rapport has been established communication on a more focused level becomes much easier.I prefer a small classes because it is allow me to give each student individual attention.
Hi Lashawnda,
I am so glad for you. Teaching in a smaller college setting with fewer students has to be a wonderful opportunity to get to know your students. I teach in a large university where volume is the operating word. So with big classes I don't get to enjoy relationships with my students near as much as I would like.
Gary
Hi Kerry,
I agree with your assessment of how communication is changing. This is why I work very hard at establishing a personal connection with each student. Once rapport has been established then it becomes much easier to communicate on a more focused level.
Gary
If you are teaching at a big university that is true; however, I teach at a small career college and I love the small classes. I think the small classes allow me have one-on-one time and give each student individual attention if needed. This is also less of a distraction during class time.
