Support System
"All people need a support system." When I viewed the image in this topic, the arms clasped together, I experienced a sense of being tied to a larger force. This was a reminder that everyone at every level needs support to get to that next level.
As an instructor, I find it is important to provide encouragement to a student on their efforts to give them validation that they can be successful. When I respond to students work, I like to begin discussing the parts of the assignment they did correct or the theory and approach that provided insight and direction. Even if their answer is wrong, (and I teach accounting which is objective) I can still find something positive to mention. This reminded me of a student who once told me "I really look forward to reading her comments each week they are so encouraging". Lately I have been try to grade as fast as possible because I have other work to get done. This was a good reminder of the impact I can have if I slow down and re-read my words and add just a little bit of encouragement.
Hi Dave,
This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing this with us. I know this will be of value to other instructors seeking ways to become more supportive to their students.
Gary
This is a great suggestion. Let me share something that I recently started doing. I assume “good” instructors have been doing this for years. I've been sending two generic emails to my students after each test. One email for the students who have done really well where I praise their performance and encourage them to keep it up and the other for the students who have struggled with the exam and I let them know how to review the feedback and that I would be happy to answer any questions they have. I have been very happy with the results, ranging from students who are just happy that I know they exist and how they did on the exam to those who have questions and then I am able to work with them. For most of my teaching experience, I assumed that students who had questions would contact me (and many of them do) but I never really thought about contact them first and see if I can help with their specific questions. That has been a nice bonus to classroom grades and morale.
Hi Erik,
This is a great way to show support and encouragement to students. They see how they can improve while having their work critiqued by a professional educator.
Gary
I actually do the same thing. When I include what I liked about their project with a little bit of how to improve I see that they respond much better to my comments than if I were to just tell them they need to work on things.
I've always tried to make it a point to include at least one positive (and more if I can) in each reply I write to a student assignment. In addition, I try to encourage and support students in class by reminding them throughout the quarter that they can do the work and they can be successful.
I think this is especially helpful in my subject area--writing--because so many students have the view that there are people who are writers and there are people who are not writers and never the twain shall meet. I instill in them from day one that writing is not easy, but they CAN DO IT. I drive this point home by looking at quotations from famous and successful writers about how difficult writing is even for them. My hope is that this helps them to see that, although they may not see themselves as writers at all, there is no definite rift between them and people who do.
Hi Therese,
Great point about how positive comments and encouragement can have a great impact on the lives of students. This is one of the ways you can customize instruction for each student. By making specific comments about each student's work you are showing them that you care about their success and that you have spent time reading and processing their projects.
Gary
