Feeling Accepted Helps with Success
Why is it important for students to feel accepted in classes and how does acceptance contribute to their success?
Dr. Meers,
For my students it all goes back to the learning environment, and acceptance is a key role in that. Students who feel accepted tend to be more engaging because they understand it is a place of learning. Diversity means different reactions to criticism. An example in my classroom is i have one student from a Hispanic background that feels very accepted so when i criticize him, he takes the criticism and sees it as a platform for which to improve. on the opposite side i have a student of Japanese decent who take criticism as failure and proceeds to practice to perfection, even though they feel accepted. In conclusion acceptance is important so that when I as an Instructor criticize the students they don't see it as me speaking down one them or insulting them, but rather that i am giving them guidance and a platform on which to improve.
I agree I often let students know that when they do a task incorrect it actually aids in learning , make my job more enjoyable and rewarding when I can demonstrate the proper way to do something especially when I see it in their face that they understand
Acceptance in class helps establish a comfort level in which students are more likely to try new things or participate in discussions without fear of embarrassment. If a student is accepted and comfortable, they are less concerned about making a mistake and therefore are more likely to present alternate perspectives or share personal associations with the material.
Lavete,
This is so important because it creates a common base from which to operate since the students themselves are so different. You can build on this and create a supportive learning community as a result.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also agree with you regarding a comfortable classroom setting. My classes are very diversified, I have students from different ages, backgrounds and experiences. I feel that creating a comfortable environment from the beginning allows students to open up and participate regardless of their differences.
Barbara,
The idea of relating to students is where the human factor becomes a retention tool for students. They see that their learning leader cares about them and their success and this translates into more student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is very important to feel excepted. I teach on this level because I can relate. It was not that long ago that I was sitting in the same seats and probably feeling the same way.
It is very important for our students to fell accepted. Many of our students have not been in the classroom for a long time or have not been successful in the typical college mold. What makes career colleges so successful is that our students are accepted and relationships are built and they are not just a number.
Patricia,
I know it is hard to convince students that in class is the best place to make a mistake. Students have an expert to guide them through the mistake and help them see why it was made. This is how they grow in their knowledge and expertise. The model in education is that students to earn points or grades need to do everything right the first time. There need to be a shift in this model and show the students that through their mistakes they can grow and their evaluation will come when they complete the course and become successful in their career field. The place that they need to not make many mistakes is the workplace. In school they have a safety net, their instructor in the workplace the net is gone so they need to depend on their own expertise to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I constantly deal with student frustration in technology classes and I always tell my students that making a mistake is a great opportunity to learn how to fix them.
Troubleshooting will be a great part of their careers and they usually feel very proud when they can figure out how to solve a problem or figure out where the mistake is.
Jennifer,
This is so important and teacher need to remember this when interacting with their students, especially older adult learners. Everyone needs to feel welcome and accepted into the class. This is the foundation upon which respect will be earned and rapport developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try very hard to make every one of my students feel very special in some way. I try to relate with them on some aspect of their life so that we have a connection. I feel like this makes them realize that you care and you are human just like they are.
James,
Well said and so important to the learning process. By feeling accepted and a part of the learning community students will be more open to the learning process and willing to contribute to the class discussions and activities. This is the environment we want to create for them so everyone will have the opportunity to be engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that feeling accepted is required for students to feel part of the group or a team It opens the opportunity to communicate freely, problem solve with each other and sometimes it is the only sense of family they have. My students are always encouraged to operate with different students, to work together and to help each other. To train someone on what they have learned from the exercise.
Feeling accepted and its correlation to success is an interesting point especially in the classroom. My students definitely display many types of emotions(s) during classroom lecture/participation type of discussions. On one hand, some students take the spotlight whether their response is not even relevent to the question, some students are afraid to disappoint. The best approach I take is in the area of group projects. These projects clearly state what each participant is "directly" responsible for accomplishing seems to work with the more "quiet" type of student. Presenting briefings with each member having a specific time (verbal presentations) or topic content tends to inculcate the group and (when things go well)helps each group member feel important as well as accepted within the group. This in turn, helps with not only the individual's confidence but the success of the overall group. I don't allow groups to form their "own" groups so it can become a thin line for "strangers" in a class to participate,so some discretion has to be taken especially at the beginning of a course when they (or I) really cannot take into account the differing personalities of each student(s). But, as a whole, feeling accepted whether a student or as a faculty member is a cornerstone in achieving success with any endeavor!
Diane,
So true. Students need to feel a part of the learning community and when they do they will thrive and feel comfortable in making contributions to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When students do not feel accepted they feel as if they are not part of a team. This brings down their moral and also their ability to get excited to learn. This also gives the student a reason to blame and not put in full emotional effort.
Linda,
It is a great feeling when you know you are part of something, in this case a learning community. The more at ease we can make our students the better so they will settle in and get excited about what is being taught and the career growth they are experiencing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It helps them to integrate into the new setting and fuels their self-confidence level. Students who don't feel accepted tend to isolate. Acceptance helps them to feel like they are an integral part of the class setting.
