Developing Student Rapport
Why is the development of rapport with students so important in teaching?
If you build a rapport with your students you are getting to know them on a personal level not just an educational level. Students feel more open/comfortable with an instructor who takes interest in them. This creates a positive learn environment.
Paul, I whole-heartedly agree with your style. It is important to develop rapport with the students, but at the same time instructors cannot compromise on the values of integrity and professionalism and minimize the consequences that might occur if one does not comply with proper standards and conduct or steps to a procedure. Indeed, lives may be at stake. It is amazing to me the number of times students may dislike an instructor when that instructor is trying to teach them to "be the best they can be" , but in the end (either at graduation or when out in the career field) they realize the instructor did indeed have their best interest at heart and that an instructor who did not push them to learn and improve had actually hampered their learning, rather than enhance it.
Paul,
I like the way you approach your relationship with your students. You are providing them with support and encouragement and this will last through their career.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
When students first enter a class, they know they are just a number at that point. If they continue to feel that way, they may still do OK, but they probably won't excell to their full potential. This should be the priority of every student, as well as every Instructor. Building a good rapport with students nurtures the desire to excell in the class. You can't necessarily be everyone's "best friend", but you can be everyone's "fair friend". When my new students come in, the rules, regulations, and expectations are explained and stressed. From then on, the "friendship" begins to build, and they are shown that the rules still apply to everyone in the class, including myself. I feel everyone becomes "friends in fairness", and the level of respect, drive, and professionalism soars.
Trust has to come from a neutral point. As humans, the instructor will naturally like some students better than others. Keeping neutral is important for the success of all students.
Cynthia,
Establishing rapport with students is one of the rewards of teaching. You get to work with these learners as they develop into professionals and as a result they will respect you and your contributions to their career development.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructors must develop a rapport with each student. This rapport provides trust for students to question, state opinions and problem solve. Real learning will not occur until a rapport between instructor and student develops.
Instructors must develop a repport with their students. Through respect and caring,bonding and trust are formed and a positive learning relationship between instructor and student develops!
Miriam,
Well stated and explained. Rapport is such an essential part of successful teaching and student growth.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Rapport: an emotional bond/friendly relationship between people based on mutual liking, trust, and a sense that they understand and share each other's concerns
The definition of rapport answers this question. The student needs to feel the instructor is "on their team" and there to support them as they undertake the challenge of school and entering a new profession successfully.
Kelly,
You are doing a good job of being aware of how you want to engage the students. By working on a continual basis in the area of classroom/student management you are going to keep your students focused and the class moving forward.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Deborah,
It really does. It helps to make teaching a lot more fun for both the students and yourself.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students respond better when they feel "connected" in some way-- to the learning, the field of instruction, and the instructor. Giving a little neutral background about yourself; while keeping everything professional, allows for this dialog to begin.
I find students respond better to me than other Instructors when I have not assumed anything about them from their physical appearance or their first interaction with me. I often say that everyone has a fair chance with me until they prove otherwise. This has worked well for me in the classroom to date.
However, my rapport needs to be constantly reworked. After 3 or 4 sessions with a group of students, I start to lose control of the classroom. I am working on how to regroup and engage again.
KJ
I feel it sets the tone for your class and future classes you will have with the students.
Andrew,
Key word in your comment -- respect. Respect needs to go both ways. If it does then rapport will develop and everyone in the class will benefit.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
John,
I like the way you introduce your area and personalize it to and for each student. This shows them that they have an expert available to them for the duration of the course so they need to put forth the effort to acquire all of the information from you during this time that they can.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In order for a student to be able to learn from an instructor, that student must have respect, trust and an understanding of the instructor which are all components of a good rapport.
The instructor develops rapport with his/her students by knowing on day 1 which term they are in and what their career goals are. In accounting classes, I encourage them to fill out a "New Business Profile" if they are interested in starting their own businesses. The questions force them to think about whether licenses are required, how much startup capital is needed, what percent they bring to the business, expected time needed to become profitable. I also developed a slide show based on the Small Business Administration's information booklet.
Then I make notes for them and point out challenges they will likely face. This shows the students that I am willing to devote some time to their individual business plans.
Andrea,
Good points and ones we need to remember as we approach the classroom each time.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
