As an instructor I want to see that all of my students are successful. Sometimes it is difficult not to think that maybe I could have done more for a student that is unsuccessful in the class. I know this is not the case but that is human nature.
As far as the Pygmalion Effect Theory I believe there may be some truth to it in certain circumstances but to what extent I am not sure.
I have personally been concerned about certain students ability to do well because of poor study habits and lack of focus and effort only to be surprised that they are sharp enough to pass the tests.
On the other hand I have seen students that I felt confident would do well because of the great effort they put in to the class only to realize that because of various factors scored poorly on the test.
I explain what I expect from them and how they will go about doing it at the beginning of the class. As they complete a part, I tell them how great they are doing and that I know that they will completed ahead of schedule. Some students require a little more building of their self-confidence to really believe in what they can do. We keep the lad challenging but are there to help and assist any student who starts to stubble. By pairing a student that understands with a student that needs some help the students help each other.
I start out telling the class we want them to be successful and will be showing them the things they need to get there.
I start each course period letting the students know what the objectives are for the course and that with the system I incorporate they will be successful, all they have to do is apply what is given and ask questions if something is not clear to them and we will a be winners in the end.
I can't really say that I use the Pygmalion Effect - it is more of the fact that I try not to use it or I try to be aware of the power of your statements in the classroom.
The group I'm currently teaching is new to the school, they have a lot of information given to them in week one. To help them not feel so over whelmed I acknowledged that there was a lot of information to take in but they were doing great and that I believed they were a strong group exceeding my expectations.
