Questions
Encourage students to fill comfortable when responding to questions. Positive reinforcement through praise is always welcomed from a student.
Hi Chanda, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, positive reinforcement is essential! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Giving a wrong answer in class can be embrassing. depending on the self esteem of the student that one wrong answer can cause he or she not to respond to another question for several days. Giving a positive remark like "that was close" or " good try' can keep the student on the positive side and involved in the class discussion.
Hi Martha, I might say something like "That's a good point/suggestion, Ann, Let me finish my demonstration and we can then take a moment to talk about it." Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I have been teaching fashion design for 2 1/2 years and I've had students in the class that have some basic knowledge of sewing and interrupt frequently when I'm doing demonstrations. Most times I allow students to express themselves but sometimes it comes to a point where it becomes disruptive and slows down the demonstration and even confuse the rest of the students. As much as I try to be fair many times I have to interrupt the talkative student and continue with the demonstration.
My question is: is there a proven, effective way of addressing this issue with the student without hurting their feelings?
I appreciate your comments.
Thank you,
MJ
Hi Douglas, Thanks for sharing some very good realistic advice! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Just make sure that the student is always held accountable for answering the question and demonstrating understanding. For example, when a student gets an answer wrong when asked a question in class, it is OK to ask another student for the correct response. Then however, you should go back to the student with the incorrect answer and have them answer the question again in another way or with another example.
As far as positive praise, this is generally welcomed by the students but be careful not to over do it. I teach surgical technology and when our students enter the field, because of the nature of the industry, they could go months or even years working with the same team of professionals before they even get a thank you. For our students, too much praise in the classroom setting with give them false expectations for when they enter the clinical site. These students need to know how to give self praise without relying on the feedback of others as an emotional barometer.
Hi Natalie, Thanks for your post to the forum. Finding something positive to say to students when they come up with a wrong answer or submit substandard work can be a challenge,, but as you mention, students really appreciate our efforts to do so. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick