Hi Cynthia,
I commend you for the different ways you are striving to support your students. The connections you are making with them will be valuable in that they will help to keep the students in school as well as helping them to see that they can be successful if they will put forth the effort. Great job!
Gary
I often relate to them my experience in undergraduate school. It was, to say the least, less than steller. I also let them know that I was 40 years old when I went back to grad school. It helps them relate, at least a little
Build confidence. Let them know that they can do it.
Adult learners may also have good suggestions as to the clarity of a question. We can learn from them.
Validate their performance frequently. Use evaluations to improve their performance (positive reinforcement). This is a confidence builder.
I always ask the students if there is anything I can do to help them understand the content better. I also let them know I'm available for questions. My job is to help them succeed not fail them. I also encourage them to talk to there instuctors if they are struggling in a class.
I find so many of the students are juggling many balls in the air (school, family responsibilities, jobs, lack of money, etc.) and have found that listening and being "somewhat" flexible greatly adds to their success.
Students sometimes absolutely cannot meet the deadlines/expectations presented but if they know that you are willing to listen to their reasons, and allow some flexibility, they perceive you as being supportive and encouraging. Obviously, I walk a fine line as I do not want to encourage irresponsibility on their part, now do I want to be perceived as a pushover.
I feel that by sharing that I once sat in the very seat they are sitting in gives them a connection and lets them know I understand their fears. In addition I always let them know I am available to help them in any way that I can, this does not need to be limited to the course they are currently in, if they need assistance in another course and I can help I will or I find someone who can. I share how to reach me with questions, recently I have created on a business card my tutoring hours and how to reach me.
To overcome any fear a student has they must have confidence. I remind students of their previous skills and success in mathematics. Given a new course, it is important for them to know that they do have the background and ability but that practice is essential. And more practice. I encourage them to ask any questions they have and that no question is unimportant to me. When answering, I try to build on what they have previously learned.
Then there is always a "top ten list"!
Here are the top ten ways to overcome fear of failure according to Mona Gallagher, a freelance writer for Helium.com
1. Tell yourself "I can do this".
2. Maintain a positive attitude.
3. Focus on your inner self and do some self-reflection.
4. Baby steps.
5. Talk to others.
6. Think about worse case scenarios
7. Be persistent.
8. Is the risk worth it?
9. Identify your fear. What
10. Mobilize your fear.
Providing visual progress, such as charts or graphs, of the students achievements can help overcome fears of not being successful.
I start by telling my students my own life experience which began in high school when I was told by a high school counselor that I would probably not succeed in pursuing a college education. I was struggling in math and English and he thought that it would be best for me to pursue a technical field of study.
After completing my military service, I decided to go to college and get a degree in Industrial Engineering. After successfully completing my course of study and went on to complete my MBA.
I tell my students that they to can be successful, if they establish clear goals and time-lines and then work hard to meet their objectives. I encourage them that the hard work and time commitment will pay off after they have completed their college education and when they look back at the experience they will wonder why they thought it was going to be so difficult.
Hi Krystal,
Your way of including students and showing them that you are there to support their efforts is great. This way they don't feel like they are alone out in space trying to learn something. They feel included in the process and supported in their learning.
Gary
Hi Clay,
This is a good way to keep students engaged and focusing on their skill and knowledge development. In the design field there are so many factors that contribute to a successful design or product that it is easy to get discouraged if you feel no one appreciates your efforts.
Gary
I deal with first term students in my course. These students come in thinking they will fail before they even try. I prepare all of my documentation (course policies, project information, instructions on how find things, instructions on how to check grades, where to go for technical assistance, how to contact me, the maximum time period that it will take for me to respond, when grades will be posted, etc.) well in advance. I have realized the more information I give them in advance, the less afraid they are that they will miss something. I email the class every week, just to let them know that I am there for them, and I try and send positive quotes or stories every other week.
Responding to a minimum number of discussion postings in my course is required as well. For an online environment, the student tends to feel as though they are own their own. Participating in the discussion board helps them to bond with others.
After the first few weeks of class I like to periodically provide positive assignment feedback to the class as a whole (in addition to individual feedback. This further reinforces important instructions but also makes the students realize there are others in class that have struggled and are doing better, as they are. The learning process becomes a more shared experience, realizing they are not alone in adjusting to academic requirements calms their fears and builds confidence.
It also helps build community in the online environment.
Hi Michelle,
What a great way to start a new class. It is fun, the students get to know each other better and they have learned something. This sets the stage for a very successful course and increases the motivation level from the beginning.
Gary
I always try to find something positive about my students work, even if it may not be passing. I remind them that as design students, you're not trying if you are not risking failure, and that you have to put the hours in to be successful in their field.
The best way to help students overcome their fear of not being successful is to give them the tools to be successful. Some students may not understand what is required to be successful in college, such as reading the textbook, attending class, completing assignments on time, etc. While these sound like very basic concepts, I always start off a new class by explaining that these basics are the key to success. I also emphasize that biggest component to success in college is the amount of effort a student puts in rather than their natural ability.
YES! In addition to making sure students don't feel overwhelmed at the start of the course, it's really important for students to have a successful (and fun!) experience early in the course. One of my favorite activities, regularly used in our Intro to Programming courses, is a 'quiz' which is really a set of puzzles. Several of the puzzles have a unique answer per student and others are puzzles students may have seen or solved before. After a few minutes, we all share our answers. It's fun, and each student can always solve the 'unique to them' activities. It also gives a chance to talk about the kind of problem solving we'll be learning to do in the rest of the course!
That's a good one. There can be a fine line between reinforcing and coddling. The first thing I let them know is I'll be available to assist them in any way possible with their studies. My students can get ahold of me on weekends if their having difficulty. I reassure new students that the age range in my classes is 18 to 61. Some already have some skills and some don't. My job is to take the inexperienced and catch them up to the experienced without slowing down the entire class.
