Avoiding negative words at times can be difficult. With our student coming from many different backgrounds, the task of staying positive can sometimes be difficult, especially when the students feel or say they are going to fail at something without even trying. I try to remain positive and when I'm having trouble, I think about my own children and I try to encourage them with positive reinforcement.
Earnest,
yes, often by being that positive example ourselves we can help these students increase their use of positive words.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Verbal skills are so important whether dealing with students in the classroom or with the public. Since we are preparing our students for a career to work in the public, the classroom is an excellent place to lead by example.
I think it is so important to avoid negative words and use positive statements with students who complain or criticize continually. This allows students to know you are there to help and represent to them positive aspects of learning in the immediate environment.
Earnest J. Kendall, MSN, RN-BC
Lorenzo,
thank you for this important reminder of the power & importance of nonverbal communication. You are right that much of our communication is found in the nonverbals. We must make sure that the verbal & nonverbal are in agreement.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree that words have the power to shape one's reality, but it is important to remember that words are only as powerful as our corresponding actions. This includes our body language. In several of my classes we discuss how the majority of message interpretation comes from vocal cues and body language, and only a small amount comes from the actual words that we use. When we couple our words with genuine, sincere enthusiasm that our students can observe, they draw from our energy and our words become more credible.
Stephen,
yes and often the language we use can really help determine whether they find themselves successful or not.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Dr. Meers,
I agree with what you've posited in response to Darcell. The use of the 'right'language in the classroom is so important in my estimation. We instructors have to be very sensitive to students' sense of the relationship between themselves and the instructor.
Cheers,
Steve Baker
Raquel,
it is amazing to see the power of words, but communication really does shape our reality.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I really understand the impact of using negative words in the classroom. I had a student who would use negative words in the classroom and it would affect the mood of the whole class. I would have to redirect the class by using positive words and statments such as you can do it. I mean anyting you put your mind to you can do it period. I let the class know that you as students you will learn better when you are positive and happy. If you speak positive words out of your mouth then positive things will happen.
darcell,
this is very true. This does not mean that we don't address the problems & provide the needed feedback to the students, but a more positive approach might help the reception.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
