Kathryn,
So true. They need to know they are respected and in turn will respect their instructor which is the foundation of rapport development.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Developing rapport creates a positive learning environment, which allows students to open up to learning. Without rapport, students are not open which prevents them from accepting and retaining the information given during class. We are facilitators of knowledge with adult learners and facilitation will not happen in a negative environment.
I find if you develop a rapport with students they begin to trust you more and appreciate that you are really trying to help them better themselves.
Maryellen,
This establishes a comfort level for you and your students and as a result I am sure they ask many questions and you have good discussions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I feel it keeps them engaged. I let my students know from day one that no question is "dumb". I will also answer the same question ten times if necessary until they get it. Its about us learning from each other.
Thank you
If the students have your respect and trust rapport is more easily achieved. Therefore learning becomes a natural progression because the students are ready to accept the instructor-student relationship in a comfortable setting.
James,
Good point to remember. Rapport is a great motivator for students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
If a rapport between instructor and student then it is difficult to make that connection with the student. We must be aware that that the rapport is between instructor and student and not between friends.
Antoinette,
I think stories of your own experiences serve to connect the students with the course content and help them reflect on how they want to develop their own careers. Also, the stories help them to see the relevance and application of the content they are being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Holly,
Sounds like you have a very clear set of standards you use in managing your classroom. The students know what the requirements are and how they need to conduct themselves in the class. This knowledge will be very valuable to them later on in their careers.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I feel developing a rapport with students is important because it shows the human side of the instructor. I like to tell my students what my plight was like when I was a student. I explain to them that I had the same fears and hopes just like them. I try to get down to the "students" level. I also have each student tell the class alittle about their background (where they went to high school, children, age etc) Most of the time my students are female so I feel a bond with them right away. I love telling stories of my clinical experiences. Some of my stories are happy some sad, but my students love them. Most of my stories pertain to the areas we are studying about. I find this a very useful tool as a teacher.
It is very important to build trust and a sense of loyalty amongst the instructor and students. I try to be as honest and upfront as possible at the start of a semester and carry that attitude thru the class course. If something on a test wasn't a "good" question, I'll take things like this into consideration to let the students know that I'm human too and not perfect. I'm not irrational and I'm fair. This has helped tremendously. However, when it's wrong, it's wrong. They also need to know that there are boundaries that the can not step over. I believe that this too helps the classroom.
A positive rapport with students is important for an instructor in order to keep a properly functioning classroom. A poor student rapport can lead to so many bad things that I can not even begin to imaging how difficult a classroom atmosphere might become. On the other hand, a positive student rapport can lead to a happy, healthy, mutually respectful, enlightening experience for all parties involved. With a proper rapport, students should be better focused and more excited to learn.
Building rapport demonstrates personal interest in students and makes communicating with an authority figure less difficult.
If as an instructor you have a relationship of trust and understanding with your students you then will have the tools to point and aid them in being more successful in the classroom. A student who feels comfortable discussing problems regarding their learning experience can be helped more readily then a student who does have problems but does not feel comfortable asking for advice. The fact that a student trusts an instructor to help should be the goal of all instructors.
Jonathan,
Respect must be earned by both the students and the instructor. Once respect has been established then rapport can be developed and the move forward is started for the students. Good point about how the lack of rapport will quickly cause students to want to step away from their classes.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It can happen quickly, or take the course of several classes, but lack of rapport will ultimately end in the student feeling unwelcome, whether this is true from the instructors perspective or not. Building rapport is also essential when it comes time to help the student thru any type of intervention. If there is trust already established, when the coaching becomes more focused, there is less chance the student will feel "picked on" and actually take the advice being offered.
Students need to know that you understand what they are trying to accomplish and are there to help. They need to know that you will be available to them when they need support.
Kelley,
Right you are about needing to create a connection between the students and yourself. They need to respect you and have confidence in your ability to communicate with them effectively before they will open up and start asking questions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think that it is important for the instructed to build a trusting relationship with the students. This will ensure that they are learning and understanding the material. They will be more apt to talk with you about not understanding material.
