If my student feels accepted, they tend to work hard and work to obtain their goals. They concentrate on school work. They are comfortable and do not have the pressure of failing.
Hi Amy,
Good approach to your instruction. You are able to develop a relationship with your students based upon the information they share with you and how you process that information. Then you can respond as needed to each student's support needs.
Gary
Just like in business, you need to develop a relationship with your student (consumer) in order to reap any profit. In the classroom, this means fostering an environment of acceptance no matter what the student's age, culture, disability or experience. All students have some trepidation walking into a new classroom because they don't know what to expect. Creating an atmosphere that is comfortable, yet challenging, can easily contribute to the students' success.
I teach marketing so I'm constantly reminding myself of this core business principle and how this applies to my relationship with students. My classroom is 100% online so I benefit from not "seeing" my students and forming any biases. The asynchronous environment also allows me to develop an approachable tone while providing many resources to meet the different learning styles.
Hi Steven,
This is what acceptance is all about. Students come into the class wondering if they belong there and if they will fit into the class. Those concerns need to be addressed from the very beginning of the class.
Gary
I believe that the instructor has a burden to make sure that all students feel safe and welcome in the classroom. The goal is make students feel comfortable enough to step over their mental boundaries and be willing to take a chance. A chance to speak up, ask a question, voice an opinion, contribute to course discussion and add to the learning environment.
I really appreciate this example. I currently have several students that struggle with English but are doing well in their hands on culinary coursework.
I have to be especially careful to include them in classroom discussion without making them feel self concious as well as make sure they understand what is going on during the production portion of our class.
Furthermore, I have been making sure to take extra time to give them feedback and talk to them one on one about the day's work and lecture.
Hi Savitri,
Thank you for sharing this great example of how a simple strategy can have wide spread impact in the lives of students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Students need acceptance from the instructor since it promotes motivation, competency, participation and knowledge. In other words, the instructor needs to foster a conducive learning environment for student learning and student success.
I had a student who had trouble understanding what I was saying since English is not his first language. To build his confidence, I created a glossary of terms for him to review before coming to class. His confidence and competence soar after this. Afterwards, I share this glossary with the class.
Adult learners are comfortable asking questions, but I have found younger students fearful of asking questions. Since I teach mathematics, I sometimes ask one of my students to illustrate how to solve a problem that was assigned for homework. The student's response is "I have not done it.". I insist that the student tries by giving him/her three choices-class help, instructor's help or consult his/her notes. The point that I emphasize is that your methodology may or may not be correct but you will learn how to solve this type of problem more efficiently if you make errors. This way you do not repeat the same mistake. After a while, I do not have to even ask for volunteers since they are eager in participating.
Hi Joseph,
You make a number of good points about maintaining student focus. You are right about how all of the external factors can make their way into the classroom and cause students to lose their way. That is why it is so important to help them to see and then remind them that their is a reason they are there and what the outcome can be for their life is they are able to overcome the problems and keep their career vision.
Gary
Knowing how your students interpert your feelings towards them and there feelings lets them know you have bought in on there perspective.
Students need to feel accepted in class to avoid frustrations that can lead to droping out.
The students need to be a part of the class, not just in it.
Basically any issues that take the focus off of learning will cause a poor outcome with the possibility of failure or dropping out of class or school. Acceptance is one of the major factors which could impact this for a student. If they feel like the perverbal fifth wheel they will be too occupied with self image to focus on any kind of learning. I read an article that stated if we loose focus on a task or goal it takes time to refocus on that goal both short and long term...especially when multi-tasking. New concepts can be hard enough already to grasp...add other issues like; car trouble or just needing gas...room and ramen noodles...girl or boy friend trouble, Issues with family...lots of baracades...yet I feel acceptance is most major.
When students feel accepted in class from their peers, they feel that they have something to contribute and also can feel the safety of sharing it amongst the class.
regardless of age humans are social creatures. They need to feel accepted. When they feel a sense of belonging they tend to function better and are more receptive to new ideas and thoughts. Learning is never easy. Add to that challenges of family, work, finance to name a few. Feeling comfortable and accepted goes a long way in helping them feel good about themselves and wanting to succeed in that environment.
The sense of belonging brings with it a sense of comfort. This ability to be comfortable in the learning environment will help students be successful. The ease with which the students can relate to each other and to the instructor allows them to freely share ideas and thoughts that they might not otherwise be comfortable enough to share. This free exchange of thoughts and ideas will help in the learning process.
It is important for students to feel accepted in classes because it fulfills their extrinsic need of acceptance. It is also Maslow's third step of his hierarchy of needs, which is belongingness.
Acceptance provides confidence in the class and among their colleagues. That confidence will allow them to progress into ego-status, by becoming ambitious and competent in their work.
Acceptance leads to respected between teacher and student and will lead to unity in the classroom. If everyone feels that they belong in the class and are respected, then they will feel confident that they will succeed in the course
Students feeling accepted encourages their self esteem, which in return brings confidence when learning and when showing the skills that have been taught. Being accepted is a positive feeling and will lead to more growth/success either in the classroom or in the students career.
I feel it is vital to not only encourage your students but support them as well. I feel if students feel they are being supported it encourages them to do better in class.
