It's important for them to feel accepted because it's a challenge for them to even be entering the classroom. If they don't feel accepted or valued, they won't likely succeed in the class, or they'll drop. Acceptance contributes to their success in many ways. It makes them feel valued and like they matter. It's important to show them they matter and that you are there to validate performance and progress.
Everyone has the right to feel accepted in a class. Lessons have to be built around the members of the class so that all are included in each activity. I have actually been in classes where I did not feel the instructor liked me. I did not make high scores in those classes. Unfortunately, I believe that we unite the class and the instructor. I felt in those classes that I didn't need to work as hard because the teacher didn't like me--I wasn't going to get a good grade anyway. I always try not to let the students perceive that I am making any difference in the way I treat any one of them. I am respectful and pleasant with everyone because that is how I wish them to treat me. Therefore, I pray that my respect for them will encourage them to work harder to achieve success.
By, Edwardo Mojena
Students need to feel accepted in all ways especially in school. Meeting different people all over and having that bond of feeling a part of something can make a difference in their learning and wanting to succeed.
I have a diverse section of the population in my classes. As the economy changed so did the makeup of the class, and for the better. Initially I noticed that the older students tended to keep to themselves, however, as I fostered a working environment wherein every student is treated equally and the same productivity expected, the student body now has a sense of being one.
This attitude is obvious in the test scores, participation, and interaction within the class room. My older students really lead in academics and thus inspire the junior students to try harder.
I feel it is important for students to feel accepted in classes because it allows them to feel comfortable, and allows them to exclude any negative barriers that may form due to them not feeling accepted. I feel acceptance contributes to a student's sucess because it makes learning easier as well as allows for motivation. Also, with the students feeling accepted it does not bring them out of their comfort zone and allows them to be who they are as an individual. When an individual feels accepted it makes any process much easier and most likely a successful outcome, oppose to not feeling accepted, which in a way may interfere with self esteem and motivation, therfore interfering with the learning process.
This helps make them feel that they are a part of the educational process, helps relieve fears, gives ownership and adds to inclusiveness, thus aiding in motivation of the student within the learning process.
The feeling of acceptance helps to create a certain amount of personal confidence. With the focus being removed from personal feeling of not fitting in this provides a greater opportunity for the educational process to be more successful
Once students feel accepted they are more willing to share information that will problem solve in the classroom. When they understand that no one person has all the answers, including the instructors, and that we derive consensus from educated opinion they will be more willing to contribute. We can carry this concept beyond the classroom as educators. The acceptance that we are able to give the student will aid in self-esteem in the work place and society in general. When students realize that their thoughts are valuable to life in various situations, they are more likely to share thoughts and ideas, and at the same time not be afraid to incorporate others ideas’ to modify their thoughts and opinions.
I think it is important for students to feel accepted because it makes it easier for them to contribute. It contributes to their success because it is more likely for a student to be open an share in an enviroment that they feel safe. When a student feels open to share they will return and attempt more meaningful input. This forum, for example-- If we feel accepted we will be likely to share and to strive for more indepth input. It makes us feel safe to input in this environment because our thoughts-- weather question or answer input allows us to contribute.
Hi Donna,
So true. Instructors need to start working on making students feel accepted and comfortable from the very beginning.
Gary
By letting them know that they are very important and you are here to assist them and their needs as needed.
Everyone need to feel needed. Its important to acknowlede someones strengths
Hi Shaun,
This is so true. Without acceptance students never settle into the course and start to move forward in learning. The more we can get them feeling comfortable at the beginning of the course the higher the retention will be.
Gary
when a student does not feel accepted their true focus is on not being accepted. If they can get through the acceptance process that everyone goes through they can finaly begin their education.
Hi Sandy,
This is a great way to break students up into learning groups. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us. I am sure it will be of help to many other instructors.
Gary
Hi Sandy,
You make a number of good points about how to make students feel accepted in the course. You are right on with your comments in terms of students feeling like they are a part of the process rather than just filling a seat.
Gary
Hi David,
The introductions are good way to open up the communication channels. You are right that students need to feel accepted and comfortable in the class. This enables them to focus on the course rather than just occupying a seat.
Gary
I have also divided students up into small groups and the easiest way of doing this is using playing cards, I found this in an online publication,Luminiar, could be misspelled, you organize the groups by the color and/or type of cards they are holding. When you want to mix the groups up a second time you just match different card types together. An example of a group of four students holding King of Hearts and King of Diamonds, second mix could be King,Queen,Jack, and Ten of Hearts in one group and King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of Diamonds in another group. I have found this is a very easy objective way to divide students into small groups.
I think you have an excellent point of view and I really have learned from your statement. Thank you for sharing.
Please check your spelling. I think class activities are very important in the class and the first day of class is a very good time to introduce an activity. Hopefully, the shy student in the class will be willing to take part in the activity; it can be the "ice breaker", that will create the class atmosphere.
