We often do not realize how intimidating college can be for students; some have been out for a long time and others just feel a little overwhelmed by the experience; we have many students that are the first in their family to go to college; they wear that responsibility sometimes when they arrive. I love to encourage them to make a multi-generational impact.
Students need to feel accepted so they obtain a sense of belonging. Many students have doubts with regards to their abilities and a fear of failure. Feeling accepted helps them relax and focus on the course of study rather than wondering if they belong in the class.
When students feel accepted, they feel they belong and develop and attachment to the class
Hi Rufino,
You make a good point about student acceptance. This is why it is so important for instructors to develop rapport with their students so the students will know that they have an advocate should they need one.
Yes, an instructor has to set the limits early on as part of the expectations in order to succeed in the program. These expecatations and limitations should mimic the limitations, ground rules in a work place where they will ultimately use the skills learned in class. For example, I make my students sign-in for every lecture in order to mimic the actual work place where they have to clock-in and out as their work will be paid in an hourly basis. It also sets the tone for discipline and routine. This also trains them to adapt "accepted" behaviors in the professional world. In a way this pushes the student in the right direction and their sense of acceptance parallels the accepted behavior outside the classroom.
Feeling accepted in class can progressively remove a student's personal barriers. They may not listen and follow other student's learning techniques because that student builds a negative impression of the group fueled by his/her perceived sense of exclusion. Students who feel "unaccepted" tend to withdraw further from class interaction and their level of confidence ultimately dwindles.
Hi Annette,
What are some of the methods you use to mix the class up so your students get a chance to work with each other?
Gary
I like to mix the class up, it helps those that are struggling in the class and it empowers the class to reach out to each other.
I totally agree with that - it is that "everybody wins" concept.
In my class, the older students don't care so much about peer acceptance - but mostly about mastering the class material.
The younger ones are focused on being accepted.
I mix them up - and often get much better overall results.
It is good to have a rapport with students, however, it needs to be on the professional level for all students. Everyone needs to feel accepted. If there are some that have unacceptable behavious, it needs to be dealt with quickly. Students will feel safe and be able to open up and find they are being accepted by the instructor and fellow students.
Yes, I agree. I dont want to be "friends" with my students. It is real easy to get caught up in their lives and pretty soon the respect as an instructor goes on the wayside. There is a middle ground that shows you care about them but they have to respect you and follow the ground rules...
You make a great point about being adaptable, John.
Concerning social acceptance though, is it odd to anyone else that in past generations, peer acceptance was earned through competence and diligent work; yet today's generation expects peer acceptance to be granted to them out of the gate?
Gary yes, sometimes setting limits is the hardest part of either teaching or parenting. It is easy to let people slide.
Hi John,
You make a very good point about respecting your students but not accepting behaviors that will be limiting to their future. As instructors it is up to us to set the standards for our career area so we can educate students that will be successful upon graduation.
Gary
Hi John,
By having a consistent supportive class environment where each student feels that he or she will be respected you have done much to accomplish this goal. The students then can grow and prosper in the class if they are willing to put forth the time and effort required for success.
Gary
I believe as an instructor it is my duty to provide a safe zone in my classroon. Part of the safe zone is having each and every student feel accepted. They will interact with others much more if they are not afraid of saying something wrong or being made fun of because they dont know the answer. The learning scale increase with acceptance and the feeling of safety.
Its really more a work in progress or a journey and I am not sure we ever get there. There are many facets of acceptance, external and internal elements all play a role. I like my students but I do not always accept their standards or behavior and I let them know when this is the case. As a wise friend once said: "ITs how you do it." John
Easier said then done. Where does the student role come in this area in terms of responsbility. I think it can be overdone to say that my job is to make all students feel accepted. Sounds good on paper but in reality, I do not have the time for each student to really accomplish much in this area.
Interesting thing about how everything keeps changing. Points out the need to be adaptability and perhap accept the inevitability of change. What complicates things is that things change at different rates so depending on what you are looking at, you may see more or less change. John
Hi John,
Good point about how things have changed. I was in school back then as well. I attended the large lectures where neither the professor or anyone else cared about quality instruction or student involvement. Slowly a shift has occurred to where social support is very important to students and they want more interaction with their instructors.
Gary
