I THINK ANYWHERE A PERSON GOES THE FIRST NEED IS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THEIR ENVIORNMENT. ONCE THAT NEED HAS BEEN MET, THEY CAN OPEN UP TO LEARNING AND PRODUCTIVITY.
Stephanie,
This is a growing challenge in our classrooms and labs. Getting students to engage in conversation and interaction rather than just texting is a struggle. The more group work we can incorporate the better to so our students will develop social interaction skills as well as technical skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It seems more important for the 18-20 year olds than the other groups. I think this is because they are living in the age on social media. It's easy for them to fit in when they don't have to communicate with each other directly, so it is a challenge to them to have to try and actually interact with others.
Brittney,
Your last sentence says it all. This is what learning should be about and we need to reflect on this as we do our instructional planning. Yes, our students face many life challenges and if we can offer them support and safety for even a short while we will given them an opportunity that may keep them in school and moving forward in their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I know that many of my students rely very heavily on good interactions with other students in my class as well as faculty and staff at the college. Many students have challenges that they face outside the classroom, that create an almost hostile outside environment. When they feel safe, secure, and accepted, they are more likely to strive to do well, participate in class, and keep regular attendance. The classroom environment can become a negative perception if a student is embarrassed or avoided. Happy students are successful students.
Joanne,
This is the human factor in education and it needs to be a part of our interaction with students. This way they see you as a model of their field as well as a learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A comfortable student is a successful student, alwys use the students name, take time with each student to talk to them, asking how is schoo going, need any help, as an instructor you need to make sure you do not look rushed.
acceptance in class makes participation easier, students who participate are more successful and positive feedback adds to their perception of success
Thomas,
Thank you for these comments about how we need to support our adult learners. You are correct about how we need to let them know we are there to support them and their learning success. This goes a long way in getting them settled into the course and feeling like they can make it through.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that an adult learner is more comfortable when he/she feels accepted by the class and instructor. When a student is comfortable in their learning environment they will be more likely to participate in a meaningful way. I feel as if it is our job as instructors to promote a feeling of satisfaction in our classrooms which in turn reflects positively on our students, the faculty, and school.
I agree with that April. Without the hands on training my students wouldn't be able to pass.
Elizabeth,
Acceptance in class is essential if the class is to turn into a learning community. By having everyone see how they can contribute to the class you are setting the stage for learning success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to feel accepted due to the simple fact that everyone wants to feel like what they contribute in class is not only being recognized by the instructor, but also their peers.
Paul,
I commend you for taking this stand and enforcing this policy in your classes. You are right on with your comments about how it tears down and wears down those students that are constantly being demeaned. Everyone needs to have an equal chance at learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Over and over again the students 'need to feel accepted' has been stated. They not only need to feel accepted they need to feel safe. We, as instructors, set the tone for that acceptance and safety. Sometimes we even need to step up and demand that students treat each other with respect.
I have found that refusing to allow students to constantly tease each other in class is very important. When one or several students consistently tease another student the long term effect on that student is visible, if you look. My students are in the 6th month of a 7 month coarse so they have been together for quite awhile. Nicknames and other consistent references to a student's weaknesses or differences may have been funny for the 1st week or so but is now wearing a away at that student's feeling of self-respect.
I explain this process to my students and tell them it won't be tolerated. The looks of relief and knods of agreement from students that have been abused this way convince me that it is part of my job to educate my students to the kind of damage this type of behavior causes.
ROBIN,
Thank you for sharing these stories with us. I love hearing these stories because they are what keeps up coming back to the classroom or lab year after year. You are making a difference in their lives and their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have always tried to encourage my students to reach out to me should they need anything. I always provide positive feedback to them whenever they do something correctly, even the smallest thing. I am always there for them whenever they need me. I got a text message from a student a few weeks ago; he wanted to thank me for helping him not be so afraid of learning the technology we had been studying the previous quarter (I had shared some additional videos with him to help him).
I always tell students to feel free to reach out to me even after the class is over should they have any tech questions. I have actually had students come back to me years later and ask me for help with other problems because they trust me and know that I have their best interests at heart. They have asked me to write recommendation letters and even to act as a reference for them later on. One student called me and asked me for interview pointers after she had some trouble getting a job. She got the job after listening to my pointers (that made me feel good that I had helped her!)
I would not have these stories if these students didn't feel accepted.
Karen,
This is so important for student success. Knowing their instructor cares about them as individuals and is there to help them be successful goes a long way in keeping the students in their program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that students are much more successful when they feel the instructor's support. By taking a little interest in the student's progress and personally responding, they feel a part of the class--not just an observer. The support must be genuine and caring.
Christine,
You are doing a good job of connecting the course with their future. They need to see how the content of this course will help them move closer to achieving their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
