Put yourself in their shoes...
When Im teaching, I try to give them my experience and put myself in their shoes. I was a student once and we've all been there, I tell them. It makes them feel more comfortable. They forget that a lot.
I find with myself when I put on someone elses shoes I learn something new. Helping students learn from their mistakes and evn ours can really help both of us. They need to know that we are people too.
Kim,
this is a great idea & also helps with the retention of the information as they are having the info presented in several different ways.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
When I am teaching I like to show them (hands on) what I have learned. I also like to tell them this is how I like to do it, but you try it and watch others and see what works best for you.
I try never to forget what it was to be a student. I actually enjoyed college and learning but I had my need that needed satisfying to, such as immediate feedback. I get quizs and exam results back to my students ASAP, even if it means a quick lunch break.
Putting yourself in your student's shoes will definitely help you manage your class better. Students will immediately notice that you are making a conscious effort to relate to them.Sharing similar experiences with them makes them more comfortable in class thus become more receptive and open leading to better interaction and learning.They become more interested and focused.Now,you got them hooked.
David,
these talks periodically throughout a course can be great sources of encouragement & motivation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Altrovise,
and also, maybe sharing some of your failures/successes. That way they know you weren't the "perfect" student & that you stuck with it & saw success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree with you. I'm also sharing with students my knowlege and my professional experince
I agree, sometimes it is best to remind the student that you understand how difficult things may be. That at one time you too were where they stand and that obstacles will arise however if they continue to push forward they will prevail. I believe this will aid them in seeing you for much more then just their instructor.
I agree with you completely. The first day of class, in addition to telling students my background (which includes my days as a college student), I wrap up by telling them how much respect I have for them and the decision they made to continue their formal education. All this in spite of their spouses and children and jobs and other commitments with which I did NOT have to contend.
However, successful students are those who keep their long-term goals front and center and perservere in spite of all the obstacles. The choice is to focus on all the difficulties and succumb to the negativity, spending the rest of their lives whining and complaining to an unsympathetic world, or to power through it all to be in a better place.
I always try to empathize with students. I find that if they know you are just as vulnerable to them as they are to you it helps ease the students minds. Furthermore, it shows them the instructor if human and at one point in time went through similiar situations before. Moreover, I understand what it takes to complete school it helps them to know that.
The information presented in the first part of this lesson reinforces this type of empathy with students to create a safe learning enviroment. I try to also give the students the reverse role of teaching the class something during the term. They enjoy the spotlight and appreceiate what we do more when they stand in our shoes also.
Vallorie ,
our students really do need to see us as normal human beings who make mistakes & who have come a long way as they can then see their way to success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Absolutely! I wholeheartedly agree, Fay.
I think this makes us less super and more human to which they can relate. I think that idea, too, tends to help us be a bit more compassionate and sensitive to what sometimes is going on with students that prevents their learning success.
Fay,
yes, the more we can relate to our students & show them that we want to relate to them, the more they will listen to what we have to say.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
