Dana,
Trust and respect are the foundational elements needed to develop rapport with students. Without either then there is not going to be a connection that will maximize the learning process.
Gray
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If you can gain the trust of your student in the first few class session of your course this will help you be able to communicate with your student more. you will also gain their respect and this can allow them to be more eager to learn and come to class.
Belinda,
Adult learners feel they are taking a high risk when they return to school. They are not sure they will be able to successfully compete with other students. Early success in a course and a supportive instructor goes a long way in helping them to get settled in the course and feel confident they can pass it. Your comments are right on in terms of how we instructors should support our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Many students come to college with a feeling of fear about whether they can compete or not. This is uncomfortable and they think that the instructor may not be that invested in helping them through the fear. It is good to reach out to students with genuine interest and concern for their success. Being open to students concerns in a patient and caring way increases the student's trust and belief that they can accomplish their goaland reduces the fear with the support of the instructor.
Pamela,
What are some ways you go about developing rapport with your students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rapport enhances student motivation.
Shelly,
Good for you because when your students know you care about them as individuals you have moved them a long way in terms of being engaged in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe it shows that I care about the student's educational and career success.
William,
Good way to get the students comfortable and settled into the course. Having them share something about themselves lets them talk about something they know (themselves) while learning about their fellow students. This sets the stage for a successful course and student growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At the beginning of each term, I'll have the students introduce themselves (state their name) and why they are enrolled in the class.. as each student takes their turn, I provide eye contact and acknowledgement then thank them for sharing their information this immediately builds the first steps of rapport between instructor and student.
Mariann,
You make a good point because it is easy to overlook a quit student and before you know it the course is about over. Your idea of making a note to yourself to make sure to include everyone is a strategy that will help to make sure that everyone is heard from and contributes to the class. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The development of student rapport not only contributes to the sense of acceptance on the part of the student but also allows the instructor a means to learn about the individual student and the way he/she interacts with others and whether or not the students have a sense of self worth.
The quiet students are always a challenge and setting the expectancy that they will actively participate in the beginning is very important to ultimate success of engagement for every student. I address the participation expectation early on and tell the class that each student will be called on to add into discussion. Then you have to really make that happen even if it is a note you make to yourself in class to keep everyone engaged, just make sure that you do it. Don't let anyone get left behind.
Jeffery,
Like the way you define how rapport works and what the benefits from it are. This is such important part of the total teaching process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Developing rapport is important because it helps create a symbiotic relationship with the student(s). Even though I am the teacher and authority figure, using the "human factor" when building rapport allows the students to become more comfortable. They see I am very much like them in certain ways. They see I am investing in them. All of this is conducive to an effective learning environment for the student.
To develop a sense of trust with the students.
Alan,
Having such an environment makes a big difference in helping students to get settled into the course and focusing on the course itself rather than a learning environment that is not supportive of them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One needs to create a comfortable environment in which the student will learn. Also, by knowing why the student is in the class, may help an instructor make the presentation of meterial more meaningful.
Without good student rapport, the student is not comfortable in his/her environment. Without this the student is at a loss for success due to feeling no empowered to question or ask things on his mind. Students need to feel comfortable in their learning activities and respect their mentors.
Kristina,
Respect is the foundation for the development of rapport so the quicker you can earn the respect of your students the quicker the foundation for rapport development will have been laid. Thanks for making this good point about supporting each student that we have.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
