I try to break everything down to simple tasks that all students can comprehend and complete successfully. If it is a large or complicated project I make sure to divide it up or outline it that allows them to see it as smaller tasks that will lead to the large result.
Bryan,
You have outlined a very supportive set of steps to build student confidence. As you mention early success in a course really helps to get them established and feeling like they can be successful. With early success comes more opportunities for greater successes and their confidence level really takes off then.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There are several different ways that an instructor can help students overcome their fear of not being successful in their college work. First, we can try to understand each students unique learning styles. Students may be auditory, visual, tactile, etc. Learning their styles can help the instructor better communicate with the student. An instructor can also put students in a position to succeed by asking them questions they know the answers to so they start to build confidence. We can also talk with our students and let them know we are available for help. Finally, we can ask the student what they feel they need from us to be successful and what they need to ask of themselves.
Teaching students to set goals and fulfill them will help them with this fear.
Kanidrus,
The key is for the instructor to help make the student feel like he or she is a welcomed part of the total learning interaction that occurs in the classroom. This is what makes for engaged students. Thank you for making this good point.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The instructor must always encourage the student to do their best. The instructor must also make the student feel comfortable asking questions.
Kanidrus
I agree - postive encouragement and reinforcement will help students achieve and maintain success.
Bill,
This is a very good point and one that needs to be visited often in classes. Students will let life set backs take them out of school when with some planning and effort they can over come them and continue to work toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Explaining to the student a clearer view of these often recurring negative factors can help many students maintain a positive outlook on their educational goal. Then they can view these things as little 'tests 'and not impart so much weight on these factors .
I try to watch my student's body language and learn about their experiences. A majority of my students are veterans re-entering civilian life and want to earn a degree. I enjoy teaching them; but, I have to be vigilant due to the diagnosis of PTSD and learning the signs of stress and discomfort.
Then I have freshman directly from high school that could care less what they are learning. They love to talk back, and try to take over the class. I have never had to remove so many from a class. I started out being respectful and trying to help, now I feel like a prison warden. They are my biggest and most frustrating challenge of all and I am looking for help.
Get to know your students. Find out why they are here and what are their goals. Let them know what they have to do to succeed and tell them that they have the tools to succeed.
Especially with adult learners who are learning a second career. I talk about the fact that they didn't become expert in their current field overnight but that it took time. I try to get them to relax and learn. This with practice, time and commitment to excellence they will become experts in their new field.
Tracey,
This is a good point and reminds me of the question, "How to you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time." The point being students can become overwhelmed with content at times. So by breaking it down as you are you are helping them see smaller units and how these units become the total later on.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the key to helping students learn to be successful is helping them to think about the little picture and not worry abou the outcome. Help them create performance based goals rather than outcome based will build confidence by giving them clear and measurable feedback much sooner than just passing and failing at the end of the term. Narrowing their focus to the material imediately in front of them will help free up mental resources by taking away the anxiety of failure.
Katherine,
Belief in a person is very powerful. Knowing a person in authority (instructor) cares about them personally and is ready to provide support if needed if they will put forth the effort increases their motivation and dedication to success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Donna,
The more you treat your students as professionals and demand of them the same standards as those used in the field the easier their transition will be into their career area. They are preparing to enter a field that requires not only technical skill and knowledge but a human factor as well. They need to learn how to be comfortable in all of these areas if they are going to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Leigh,
Sounds like a very well coordinated approach to moving your students through the learning process. You are using a number of different educational approaches that enable your students to use their learning preferences to acquire the key concepts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like your comment on showing belief in the students. This positive encouragement will aid any kind of student in achieving success in college. I try to show this as well and it helps feed into a more positive self-confidence feeling for the student.
To help students overcome their fear of not being successful in college I constantly tell them that there is "no such thing as a dumb question". I teach in the health profession. Not asking a question could cost someone their life. I generally don't have the students afraid to ask questions and expect them not to assume anything but ask questions once they enter their profession.
I also may refer to them as a professional, i.e. Nurse Smith or Dr. Jones, so they can be in that mind set during the course. That helps minimize immaturity.
I am one of two teachers at a career school in Texas. We are a 7-week course where students earn a certificate for a specific field of work. The students are provided with an "overload" of information in a short period of time. The teachers understand this is "a lot" for a person to take in, but what we do is assure them daily that one day it will all come together and make sense. We encourage them to hang in there until it does. We want all of our students to succeed in this course. We offer tutoring daily. Students are allowed to request student/teacher conferences. We encourage our students to "think for their selves" first and of course offer one-on-one instruction when needed. We also do group work. Groups consist of different ages. They are able to learn from one another as well. Encouragement is a key factor here. Increasing self-esteem is also big. If students develop a healthy study ethic, they will more than likely do well and feel better about their selves. Self discipline plays a big role in being successful in their homework and quizzes. Professionalism is key.
Erika,
I think this is a great service for your students. Many college students today do not have note taking or study skills that are highly developed. This lecture gives them tools for success if they will put forth the effort to follow them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
