Building Rapport
When discussing your own carreer paths with students don't just talk about the good stuff talk about your own short comings your own failures this let's the student know that we don't do it right all the time
I could not agree more. I believe if the students understand that we are all human that you can build a rapport much quicker. We all make mistakes let them know this.
Jay, what you wrote makes for an excellent instructor-student relationship. I share a great many work-related experiences with my class. These young people are very interested in how you earned the knowledge and expertise that you have. I liked the scenario idea and I actually do that in the practicum part of my course. Thanks for your insights.
I find that sharing my life with the students we come together with an understanding that all of us have been through hard times this way they realize you understand what they are going thruogh.
Bravo to William and Nicole! I shutter when I hear about instructors that talk down to students. I've always asked my adult learners to just show me the same respect I show them.
Jay Hollowell
Thanks, Nicole! Absolutely! You provide an excellent example of "leading by example."
Jay Hollowell
Admitting your human does start a bonding process with young adults. I have observed one flaw over the years with certain instructors/trainers. They have a tendency to talk down to the trainees/students. Sharing an experience, whether good or bad, with a student reinforces that mistakes come with the job. The objective is to learn from them and not make the same mistake again. I have heard students relate a job related repair, displaying poor diagnostic skills or going too fast, too which the instructor/trainer states "that was dumb, why did you do that!"
We may have more knowledge than the student, but it came at the expense of many failed attempts. Talk to them not down at them, as Nicole just stated "will create students who are willing to admit when they need help."
I have learned through experience that admitting ones weaknesses and faults allows students to relate to their instructors. Using this as a model for behavior will create students who are willing to admit when they need help or do not understand a particular topic. It makes you more approachable.
Thanks, Roger, absolutely! In the field experiences can really make the class come alive and create an interesting angle to the presentation of concepts. I think students connect better to us when they connect to our experiences. I have also asked students to envision themselves in the field, then given them a scenario or case situation and asked them to resolve it using concepts and applications we have discussed.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
I also feel that one way to build rapport with the class is to discuss real life experences that you have had while in "the field". the good and the bad. I feel thatit is a good thing to show the students that we are human and also make mistakes, but we did not let them discourage us from persuing our dreams and goals. if we come off as perfect then i feel that our credibality could be in jepordy,I dont think any one person or enity can be perfect.when i was a kid learning to climb trees i fell out a few times but i did not give up.i eventuly learned how to stay in the trees
I agree with also adding how we grew, learned, and improved our skills upon recognizing those mistakes or short comings as learning experiences.
I recall a quote yet not sure of from whom.
"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."
