Rapport is very important as the student has to be able to have trust in their instructor, and an understaning of the content as well as the expectations. Your student should feel comfortable to approach you for assistance and the ability to feel content in the learning environment. If there is no Rapport there is no student.
James,
Yes it is. If we have earned the respect of our students and have developed rapport with them we are going to have a connection that generates student engagement and excitement. This is when teaching becomes a lot of fun.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The instructor’s rapport with students is an effective way to improve classroom management. The instructor builds student rapport by developing a positive relationship between themselves and their students. Rapport occurs when two people connect, interact well, and respond to each other favorably.
Lawrence,
This is the human factor that should be a part of all our interactions with students. Knowing someone in an authority position cares about them as individuals and their success goes a long way in retaining a student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Connecting with the students definitely shows you are interested in them succeeding in the course.
Soneka,
So true. It is one of the main reasons we are in the business of teaching. We need to make connections with our students so we help them to see how important human interaction and support is no matter the setting might be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Human connection is critical in the classroom. At an innate level, belonging and feeling included elevates our experience. Rapport with students creates an atmosphere of commonality and ease. It's very hard to receive information from someone with whom you have no connection. Those experiences tend to be stale and bureaucratic in nature akin to getting a license at the MVA. An instructor who connects with the students motivations and nurtures their curiosity will normally inspire and ignite whatever passions lie within.
Nicole,
Your last sentence says it all. This is the pay off in teaching. Having earned the respect of your students and then developed that respect into rapport brings the reward of students that are wanting to learn and are growing in their career development. This is why we teach! We are impacting lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Student rapport is a critical factor to maximize student learning in the classroom and based on two powerful learning tools, trust and respect! When students know they can trust you and that you understand their learning needs, then rapport can be developed. When students know you respect them and their learning success, then rapport can be further established. Not every student will like you nor will you like every student, but it is necessary to show that we trust and respect them. The more students with whom you have a positive rapport, the easier your job will be :)
James,
Good point because your method is constantly checking for understanding and this is how you know learning is occurring.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Our program covers an enormous amount of material in a very short period of time.
If we aren't having a back-and-forth exchange during instruction, I've got no idea if the students are keeping up with the material.
you want to let the student(s) know that they matter as a class, but also as each individual. in the profession they have chosen as dental assistants, they must act as a team not only individuals; it is important that the team is all in or parts of the main focus falls apart. I make it my number one priority to learn the students name as soon as possible, to let them know I care about them all as one & individually.
Dawn,
Respect and rapport are two very important parts of the educational process. Once they are in place then the educational exchange of information is rewarding to both the students and the learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Developing student rapport supports a healthy classroom environment. As an instructor your students have to know that they can trust you. They also have to know that as an educator you have their best interest in mind.
Rapport is important because it reduces the overall tension in the classroom. Students are stressing to pass the class, they have a lot of material to remember, to study. Good rapport is a good supplement to bring the anxiety down, it gives students hope, confidence, and understanding that they are not alone, that they have a teacher who will listen and support them...
It helps you as an instructor to know what is important to the student and what they may need from you. If you have trust from the student they are more likely to listen to you and your lectures, stories and teachings.
Fiorella,
This is a comfortable way to get students involved in the course and seeing how the content will be of help to them in their career development. This is a growth process that they need to understand as they expand their knowledge and expertise in their chosen field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Building the right rapport with the students to let them know you care about their education is one of the most important first steps. If they believe you care they will buy into your class.
Its important to get them talking to engage them in the topic and retain them in the course. At first, it doesn't have to be about talking about course content or material. It can be a simple "ice breaker", using group teaching, group projects, etc. to encourage communication, peer learning, and provide a more holistic learning experience.
By developing a rapport with my students I can show them I am human. I have feelings and opinions outside of the classroom. Having the students voice their opinions on pertinent topics in class shows I care what they feel and think. Their opinion is valuable to the class as well. It may enable another student to speak out about the topic and hand.
