If you do not develop rapport with students, they will not be as receptive to your lessons/classes. They have to see you as someone with knowledge and experience in the field, someone that cares about them on a personal level, and as a human being that is not perfect. Creating rapport will give students a new respect for you and will allow them to be more open and honest. It will make them look forward to your class, even if its a subject they don't necessarily care for, because they know it is taught by someone that they enjoy being in the presence of.
Julie,
Trust is the foundation for earning respect. We need to always set the tone of honesty in the class so trust can be developed. You make such an important and good point in relation our role as the learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
students need to feel they can trust the instructor before they can learn from them. I try to keep it real with the students.
Gary,
Very well said. Thank you for these comments as they reflect the way we should approach our instructional planning and delivery. Rapport is one of the rewards we get from being teachers because we are helping our students to move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Two ways to approach teaching are to teach the subject or teach the student. If we simply teach the subject without developing rapport the students will become passive learners at best or will tune out at worst. Teaching the student requires developing rapport and some understanding of each student's background. Then the teacher can take more of a coaching or collaborative role and the student will become an active learner. Rapport helps support and encourage each student.
Thomas,
Well said. To the point and accurate in terms of student success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Simple. Rapport = trust = progress = learning = successful student = graduate
John,
I agree. Starting with the earning of mutual respect and then building on the development of rapport. At this level you have many wonderful opportunities to impact the lives and career development of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It helps to create a pleasant environment and increases the students' interest in the course work, I believe.
Brittney,
You make a very important point that needs to be understood by students and instructors alike. Students for the most part strive to pass the course with the highest grade possible and in doing so they don't take as many risks for fear of failure. By letting them know you are there to coach, support and facilitate their learning you are serving as a learning leader upon whom the students can call.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students are not only afraid to be judged by their peers, but also by their teachers and instructors. It is important that your students know that you are not them while in the classroom, but instead to guide them through the process. Building a rapport with your students will allow those students to gain confidence enough to not only learn, but also make mistakes. They will also feel comfortable in asking questions. It is important that the students know you accept their "mistakes". If the students feel they have this option, they are more likely to explore the material further than if the feel that they will be scrutinized or judged for their errors.
Audrey,
Very good point because students do need a support system to rely on at different times in their school career. By having rapport and respect from students the instructor can fulfill such a role.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Developing student rapport is important because if students have an individual they can rely on for academic support, the student may seek out help during a time of person troubles. With multiple support groups, a student will have a greater success rate knowing others are there to support and encourage them through personal issues as well as school.
Elizabeth,
Right you are. Rapport starts to develop when there is two way respect and it builds from there. When rapport is present it is an exciting time to be an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If you have no rapport with your students you have no way to keep them engaged.
Amy,
So true and so important to our teaching efforts. The more comfortable the more engaged that student will be which results in enhanced learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You hit the nail on the head. It's about a person feeling comfortable that will open up.
I am agreeing with Kyle, Many of good students don't participation in class because they don't feel safe and they afraid of judgment.
Dana,
Two way respect once developed is the foundation for rapport. It is such a great feeling to have rapport with students and know that you are helping them to move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Developing a rapport with students is crucial to teaching because it allows a student to trust you as their instructor.
