I feel that there are two key factors in alleviating fears.
First and foremost is communication. I feel the expectations of the instructor for the students should be clearly communicated in the first class. I also feel that the students should then be given the opportunity to express their expectations of the instructor at this time as well. Through this first day communication encouragement should also be given to the students that you believe in their potential.
Second,you must get to know your students individual fears. I have students write down their expectations and fears on an index card (anonymously if they wish) and that allows me to have "insight" going into the class.
I have found that creating a realistic environment for the students to study and learn helps them understand what is required and a sense of comfort. Once in this environment giving the students practical knowledge hslps ease the fear of their future and provides them with a safe environment to learn in. Quite a few students think that failure will be the end of their goals a careers, but providing skills to work with and through thes fears will creat a positive experience that will reinforce their learning.
HELP THEM ORGANIZE THEIR STUDY HABITS, ANDENCOURAGE THEM IN ACHIEVING THEIR GOAL.
I can help students to overcome their fear of not being successful in their college work by using words of affirmation to support their decision to come to school. I can also encourage them and applaud their efforts and contributions to class discussions. It always helps to have a positive outlook and a friendly disposition.
By reminding them that they're in college to learn and aren't expected to know all the answers right away. If they did, there would be no point in being there.
Jessica,
This method keeps the risk of failure very low and the rewards for effort and success high. This is the advantage of being in a classroom setting. The students have access to an expert in the field and get to use the expertise of that individual as they work through the learning process. This is the only time in their careers this will be true. Once they graduate the they are expected to have success always, even when they make mistakes. So the more experience we can provide them the greater their knowledge base and skill sets are going to be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Gwendolyn,
I think this is a great way to get all of the students involved in the learning process. The more we have them share the more they see themselves as a part of the total learning process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Most of my students are, or have been, successful in their professional lives. I let them know that being successful in college work is no different. They both take dedication, time, and hopefully involve some enjoyment along the way.
I always try to show my students that each and every time they try and don't fully succeed,it is a learning experience and it is still progress towards their goal. When they are not successful in an area, it shows them where they need to focus on, at this immediate time. By me not making a huge deal of the lack of full success, they are at ease to try again with a new outlook of what success really is. To me success is a journey that will include failures and achievemnets along the way until you have hit the end result.
I believe finding the students strengths or what has brought them back to college is such a unique way to encourage them and show them how they can take their past career and move toward a new path. How certain things that they have already done maybe used in the future.
I remind students that all students are learning the material. I give each student an opportunity to lead a group or demonstrate a skill that was learned. Students can also share what strategies work best for them to learn and how they can utilize various methods to accomplish their goals.
Billy,
Thank you for these comments about what it takes for a student to be successful in the college setting. Your experience shows that success can be theirs if they will set up a support system for themselves. It is critical to their success but they often don't take the time to make it a reality.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
You can reasure them that this is a safe place to learn and everyone is here to learn so there is no stupid questions.
Remind them of areas in their life where they have already been successful and overcome fear.
Successful students have a clear occupational goal and the complete support of their family. They have time and other resource management skills. No longer closely supervised, as they were in high school, they must know why they are there and see the connection between what they are studying and those goals. When taking general education courses, they need to understand how math and English relate specifically to those goals. If they are experiencing difficulty in their classes, they need to know where and how to find resources for assistance and seek it! When I worked with probationary students at Fresno City College, I learned how important it is to have the support of their significant others. In managing their time, a counselor or other support needs to help them to see how many hours in week they are using between work, study, and personal.
Be sure to promote and foster an environment that is conducive to learning.
I also allow the students to give feedback on the class overall. Some students may not like Math. I usually try to go over a review problem at the start of each class. I try to build the confidence of the fearful Math students. Usually the feedbak of the students is positive, they like the way I continue to break the problems down.
Billy,
I commend you for the way you reinforce the success opportunities for your students. You are giving them support and encouragement as they approach a course that may not be their favorite. I teach a required gen ed course as well so my challenge is to get them to see the value of what I am teaching and try to get them forget that it is a required course. I am a big fan of rubrics as well. They really help to target the reasons why points were given and lost in relation to an assignment as you know. They help me to be more helpful to students in giving feedback because we can go directly to the areas in their assignment where they need help.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In the first class meeting, i feel it is very important to go over the syllabus thoroughly. Setting expectations and allowing the students to comprehend what will be required of them to successfully complete the course. Also, i like to ask if there are any questions in regards to the syllabus and course requirements and address their concerns prior to moving on with course material.
I share my work history with over thirty years at destination hotel casinos in Lake Tahoe, Reno and Las Vegas NV also several years after a grand opening of a riverboat casino and hotel. Since I am relatively new at teaching I try to convey a positive image of learning this profession.
