James,
This is a good way to gain information and about students and gives you insight into the reasons they are enrolled in the course. The more you know about your students the more accurately you can provide the support as needed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Adam,
Right you are about rapport. Rapport also establishes respect for the instructor and the students and gives a foundation upon which to operate throughout the course session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It shows that your interest in the students. I start each block with a student information form that asks each student several questions including why are you here and what are your goals? I want to find out what motivates my students. This helps me keep them focused on their goals and I can help them with their career path.
By building rapport with your students you build trust. Students believe that you are a subject matter expert and make a concerted effort to attend.
Kevin,
Good point and one to remember as we start a new class. We need to give respect and earn their in return. This is the foundation for the development of rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You need to build a rapport with your students because that can be a bond or a brickwall they will either have all the respect a person can give or they just disregard you.
Sean,
Thank you for these comments about student rapport. You are right on with your definition of what rapport is and how it operates. We need to remember that we often make as great impact on our students when we talk with them in the halls as we do in class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my opinion and experience there is a fine line for the rapport between students and an instructor. Rapport even outside the classroom (i.e. in the halls) as in asking how other classes are going or how they are doing is a great way to make them feel they are PART of something and not "just" a student... In class I see rapport gives the culture of the class room, sure sometimes being too chummy can backfire and it does, but so does being too aloof.
Daniel,
So that appears so simple as remembering their names when they come back into the upper level classes builds a powerful connection with them. I commend you for your effort and your desire to show them you care about them and their success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I instruct an entry level course and at least 12 upper level courses. I will see these new students again. I create a seating chart they are unaware of and use it to remember their names. I have found that remembering their names, calling them by name in class is very important in establishing and building a report. When they come back to my upper level courses, most of the time we have developed a rapport that makes classroom instruction much easier for the students. Every now and then I can overhear students surprised talking with each other that I remembered their name. I believe it helps them get comfortable and feel more accepted and receptive to new information.
Janice,
I agree about rapport. By earning the respect of students you set the stage for rapport to develop. When you have rapport with students you are able to connect with them about the course content and their success in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
James,
Good way to open start a new class. This gets everyone settled in and knowing a bit more about each other. Then you can start the building process for the rest of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At the beginning of each quarter I like to do an introduction exercise with my students. I tell them about myself and go a little into the fact that I was where they are not that long ago. Then I have everyone say their name and tell the class something about themselves.
I think it is very important to build rapprt with your students. If you do this early on they will understand you are approachable and resonable leading to a more open but professional learning environment.
Sonya,
I like this approach as well because as you say a shared laugh and a lite moment helps to set the tone for the upcoming class session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I let each student decide who will be first introducing themselves to the class. I like to open class with a funny joke or story. Starting class with a good laugh brings everyone together and creates a comfortable atmosphere.
Jon (Jack),
Two very important words, respect and rapport. We need to earn student respect while extending respect to them and then develop rapport with them so they see the value of the course and the content being shared.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When rapport is developed between the teacher and student, interaction and participation is increased. Additionally, respect is developed which tears down any learning obstacles.
Jeanne,
You have a two way street going with your students and I commend you for your effort. You are earning their respect while giving them respect. In addition you are sharing your curiosity with them and hopefully connecting with theirs. This is a win win for everyone when it happens.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Harpreet,
Well said and something we instructors need to strive to do. By developing rapport with our students we are creating a connection that reinforces the value we have for our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
