I find that breaking the ice with the student works wonders. By that mean, have each student share life stories as they relate to the class material.
Then, as the class goes on, follow up with the student, on a one on one basis tends to keep the students focused.
Rebekah: Thank you for that great post! I'm going to add some life/school/work balance discussions to some of my classes. I agree that letting students know we truly want them to succeed, if life as well as in our courses, makes a profound difference. "They don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care."
First, you may want to discuss what their fears are. This way you are not guessing as to what their concerns are. Secondly, I like to assure them that they are not alone and that others before them have crossed this path and successfully completed their work. I like to encourage and recognize their work regularly, they always respond positively and continue to excel.
At the very beginning of the course, I talk to the students about how many of them have made some major life changes just by enrolling in school and that is a success in and of itself. From the beginning of the course, I try to be transparent in my expectations and free with my encouragement. When I grade homework, I not only offer praise but offer some suggestions on how the student could improve but also mention what the student is already doing right. I offer the entire class study techniques and life/school/work balance techniques reminding them that I also worked full time and obtained my undergraduate degree. Finally, I repeatedly remind the students that I am available to help and that I truly want them to succeed, not just in my courses, but in their desired career field.
I find that it is always good to give students feedback when ever I can to make sure they feel successful whether it be positive feedback or even feedback for improvements of some sort. Something to always keep them moving further towards the goal they are making. I find the closer they get to their goal the less fear they seem to have to keep moving foward.
I try to provide positive comments as well as comments for improvement.I give extensive feedback to the students.
I'm trying to build good relationship with students and also try to simplify the lessons.
to push them to feel more self confidence, to continue in the participation and improvment their skills.
i think that i have to build self confedence and help them to inprove them self for further enrolement in class participation
Building confidence in their inside through out accredition of their simple participation.
Some ways you can help students overcome their fear of not being successful in their college work is to provide "on-going" feedback and encouragment. Students like to know where they stand in the course. If instructors provide substatial feedback regarding to student progress, then students will know if they are on track or not. Also if instructors are monitoring their students' progress, they can provide encouragement to those who are doing well and to those students that are not doing well. For those students not doing well, the instructor can tell them what they are doing wrong and show them how to improve. As long as you provide feedback and encouragement in a postive way, it shows the students that you care and are looking out for their best interest. Students will start feeling more comfortable learning and become less fearful.
I agree. The students will become more engaged, more excited about their chosen field of work when they see how the course content is directly related to real world applications. This also increases retention!
I give them the tools(information) that will make them sucessful. I Reassure them.
The material you are presenting must be relevent to what is happening in the field today. You must be able to show them how they can apply what they are learning today to what they will be doing in in the field tomorrow.
Wilmer Martin
I agree that it is critical for instructors to be accessible to the students.When they have questions about assignments, need extentions, or clarity around a subject... we have to be able to be there and answer their questions effectively so they can be successful in their assignments
I agree that providing feedback to students is a useful tool. The encouragement the students receive from the instructor can be quite beneficial in creating a positive learning environment. I also encourage the students to share their thoughts and ideas which helps to foster the concept of critical thinking.
I typically help students overcome their fears by reminding them that we were all there once. I use a lot of my past experiences as reference, the students enjoy knowing that even though I have been in this field for 10 years I was just as nervous as they are today.
Hi Claire,
I am sure this is going to be very beneficial for your students. Let me know how it works out for you.
Gary
Hi Rhonda,
Your own experience with being a college student helps your current students. They know you know what it is like to be a college student in two different stages of your life. This knowledge and your support really helps them to be keep putting forth the effort needed to be successful.
Gary
Yes, I like to do this as well. I always tell my students that my door is always open and that if anyone needs assistance on any topic (even outside of the class material)that i am always available. I also tell them that if they feel uncomfortable at first, to see me after class in order to express a concern or ask a question.
