Gary,
There are many ways to help students to overcome their fear of not being successful in their work. Some of the strategies that I use in each course include:
1. Verbal support and encouragement
2. Asking students what concerns they have then addressing the specifically
3. Helping them recognize other students in the course and at Harrison who are dealing with the same issues--and helping them see that they are succeeding
4. Starting the course with small assignments and quizzes that are more manageable to allow students to build confidence early
5. Making sure that students are fully aware of all the assistance, support, and counseling resources available to them
6. Helping them keep their focus on their vision of future success and the benefits that will come from overcoming their obstacles
I think that students have to realize that the idea of being successful in college is a skill in itself. Often students have not been prepared on how to take a college class. They may be lacking the ability to prioritize. They may have poor retention ability and cannot remember what they are learning. They may not know how to highlight, use a table of contents, read a syllabus or an index in a textbook. They may not know how to make time to study, organize their work space and make studying a habit. All these things can contribute to a student being afraid when they face the challenge of attending college. As instructors we have a responsibility to not only teach them course content, but also how to approach studying and preparing for exams. Once students see that studying is manageable and attainable, they will feel more confident.
Hi Milton,
Thanks for sharing your approach for teaching math. I wish I had had you as instructor back in my college days. I would not have been so scared nor stressed out because of your methods.
You are helping many students succeed that normally would not be as successful due to their fear of math and lack of understanding about how to acquire math skills.
Gary
I teach college math. Most students are afraid of math. I take my time and teach some of the basics to get started explaining that the students in the class have mastered math at different levels. I even show the class how to do long division ( yes without a calculator) Last quarter I had a student write in my evaluation that it was the first time in her life that she understood how to do long division. So in my basic math class I spend sometime showing the students how do work with whole numbers, decimals and fractions before going on to higher level math. This approach has really helped in my class because it takes some of the fear away from the older students who see that I am trying to help them. One other thing I do is the first day is tell my class I am not there to fail them. If they fail I fail.
Ensuring that all students are included in the instructional process helps to avoid the fear of student isolation and embarrassment and will result in feelings of success and accomplishment for the student.
Hi Augustine,
This is so true. To have your work evaluated by a person that has extensive experience in the field is very important to students. The feedback needs to be accurate and prompt so the students can continue their forward progress in the course.
Gary
Offer them support and constant feedback as to how they're progressing in class. I think they will appreciate that.
Firstly, I will create a support system, providing feedback and giving the students encouraging words about their performance in class work and other tasks. Students feel good and are encouraged when they receive feedback from their instructor whom they consider an authoritative figure.
After first determining what their fears are, I outline ways to strengthen a student in a particular area: one-on-one instruction, pointing students to additional learning resources, as well as partnering a student with a stronger student for study sessions and mentoring. These techniques seem to work well from the learning perspective as well as making the students more comfortable about learning; often times it just helps them learn how to learn. Particularly with adult education, students have been out of the classroom for a while. Helping a student with organizing skills, study methods, and pointing them to the vast array of outside resources available often breaks the ice.
Hi Laurie,
Right you are about the 3M model. It needs to be implemented in each class so the students can experience the different aspects of career preparation throughout their educational journey.
Gary
You can help students to overcome fears by utilizing the 3M system - model, mentor and monitor. Students arrive at school with great expectations of the staff and faculty - we should show respect for staff/co-workers/students; act appropriately and professionally; be empathetic and caring; show guidance; be on-time; take time to converse and discuss; be motivating; have and uphold standards; be supportive and be proud. When you reach out in all of these ways to students, their fears generally subside.
Everyone learns differently, motivated for many different reasons coming from diverse backgrounds, etc. Lastly, one needs to determine the why and where the difficulty lies by focusing/prioritizing areas for improvement thereby maintaining positive consistency.
I personally was a non-traditional student when I went back to college - I discuss their concerns with them try to relate personal experiences in attending school to help keep them motivated. Positive reinforcement helps diffuse their concerns and also knowing that they are not alone in seeking an education as an adult learner helps.
Giving them direct, honest feedback on their work helps overcome their fears. This is particularly important for the adult learner who expects prompt, complete responses. Helping them understand how they are doing allays their fears and appreciate their success.
Elizabeth
Hi Caroline,
By sharing your own life experiences as a student you are showing your students that you understand their challenges of trying to balance being a student and coping with life. This is a good way to establish rapport with your students as well.
Gary
Sharing some of your own experiences with them, as I have and currently am in school myself - so I am an adult learner that has gone through the same fears and frustrations that they are going through.
Caroline
Hi Matthew,
Three excellent points on how to relate to students. By practicing these three you will be in a position to really impact the lives of your students and help them achieve the career goals they have set for themselves.
Gary
1. By sharing your academic experiences and how you overcome the difficulties that you were presented with.
2. Giving them the tools that they need to break down problems into managable tasks.
3. Building upon what they have learned which will provide them with a good foundation for learning.
By assigning students of different ages to work together in small groups there is an opportunity to develop an appreciation for what each student brings to the class and can contribute to the group effort. While that is challenging to do in my classes because there is no group assignment, I often rely on students to help other students. Allowing an older student to be the helper, and the “helpee†they feel like they are a true part of the class as a whole. I allow them to help and be helped in the live chats and via email. I am a firm believer in letting students control their own learning, and this strategy seems to specifically help my older students in class.
Hi Galen,
Good strategies for both students and instructors. Each has a role to play in the learning process so the more each knows about each other the easier is will be to establish common ground and create a learning pathway.
Gary
