Smiling in class
Wanted to say first off good module in classroom and just people skills.
I out of nervousness smile alot, so i guess im good in that department. But i know how moods affect classrooms and having to sort of steer it into a positive light. I think something thats hard to do and i always make sure to check myself on is not bringing outside problems or moods in the room.
i try to just treat it like a hangout (by that i mean having fun) where im the host, attentions on me and im teaching something.
PeAcE,
Hec
Smiling makes you connect immediately with your students
Patrica ,
it really is amazing how much control the instructor has over the general classroom environment. The smiles & encouraging words/looks can make a huge difference.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It definitely does! I also see the students become more relaxed and at ease and so they are more open for learning when I smile at them. The best is when they look for my smile when I return from grading their exams....they really try to read my face and so I smile to let them know it's ok, even when they don't pass.
I completely agree with you about the smiles. When I first started teaching I hardly ever smiled because I didn't want my students to think that i was "soft" and for the life of me i couldn't figure out why they didn't do well in my class. My program supervisor told me to smile more. Come to find out, my students were afraid to ask questions because i intimidated them. Now i show them that i'm having a good time by smiling more and my students are doing so much better.
Adam
I agree that smiling definately helps put students at ease. I do not find that I smile as often as I would like to, there is a line where they need to know that I am still in control of the classroom, but I completely agree that whatever can be done to get the students engaged is a successful tip.
I find that other than smiling, I will nod in agreement with the student and ask the other students to comment and if the material is diconnecting with the students, I will try to lighten the mood by using humor about the comments as a whole and getting everyone to see that even instructors make mistakes or misspeak. Then every one understands that there are no wrong questions or responses.
A smile shows mood, interest, and is contagious.
Hi Paul!
A smile may not be necessary all the time but a pleasant expression and approachable attitude helps with engaging students. I do think that making learning fun is another great way to connect with students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Smiling in class is O.K. if it is appropriate and in the right time. It is advisable to add some fun to the class and make it enjoyable and serious learning time.
Smiling creates a positive vibe for the class and students tend to be more positive.
I agree that laughter is a great tool; it helps to relieve tension not only for the teacher but also for the students. It can be a valuable method for dealing with your own mistakes--if you mispeak, for example--exaggeration can help you avoid embarrassment. Have you ever listened to a presenter who made a verbal "faux pas" that you couldn't help notice--and you know the presenter must have heard it--yet he/she pretended it didn't happen? For example, one of my students once said "orgasm" instead of "organism" but redeemed himself by making a joke along the lines of "Wow! I guess I'm ready for Spring Break!"
This reminds me of a challenge that I provide all of my students in the first few weeks of classes. We always talk about how our attitude and facial expressions affect those around us. As such, for a week, I challenge my students to greet “everyone” with a smile and a friendly hello. I then instruct them to log the changes they see in themselves and the people around them.
I remind them that a smile is contagious, when you share one, you get one in return. Most of them find that while they think they smile every day, they do not smile as often as they thought they did. Many say this challenge really changes how they think about their own actions as well as the actions of others.
The same applies to that of an instructor in a classroom. If you stand in front of the class with a smile on your face and a good attitude, your students are going to see that you enjoy what you do and you are here to help them improve themselves and their knowledge.
Kimberly
This is an excellent point -- the use of smiling and laughter. I find sometimes how students really know when you display a not so happy face that might be cause by having a bad day or other issues in your life. That is why smiling is important, and student sure take not of that.
Smiling when teaching helps show that the instructor likes the material and is enthusiasm. How can you teach effectively if you really dont like what you are teaching?
I have to agree with you, I smile all the time as well. I do not smile because I am nervous, but because a smile can make someone feel good and you do not even know that you are doing it.
Barbara
I notice that when I have an off day and it sort of shows through my face and body movements, I try to keep a true smile on to help keep the morale of the class room up. I want that engery rather than a possibly negative one
Smiling is VERY important, as long as it is a natural smile that comes from the heart. Frankly, there is nothing more "phony" that people who walk around with these fake smiles plastered to their faces! Students are able to recognize such forced smiles, and they do not appreciate them.
I had many discussions about smiling and facial expressions while teaching non-verbal communication during my Business Communications course. And, I have heard countless complaints from students who felt their intelligence was being offended by instructors who would not stop smiling.
So, let's smile! And, let's be genuine about it!
I always smile. It is very important for the students to see that. Never do I bring my problems to class. I am a very positive person and I believe it has a positive effect on the students.
To me smiling is a good way to get the students to feel comfortabel in the classies that they might feel uncomrotabel in.
I completely agree with Brian. Smiling before you initiate your course material as well as throughout the class really breaks down tension barriers. It is important to me as an instructor that all students feel comfortable in their learning environment.
