Hi Robert,
So true about adult learners and so important to their success. Thank you for making this point.
Gary
The real learning begins, when your students have a sense of trust and faith in you. It is important to me that at the beginning of each new module that I put my expectations out to the class and I always end by stating that what I have explained to them worked for me when I was in college. By sharing your success stories they can appreciate what has been said and they will be less likely to deviated from the success guidance that was shared with them. I find that a lot of students don't have good time management, so I speak on that issue about making sacrifices to study as opposed to going to the club...lol. For those that have school age children, I advise them to do their homework with their children, by doing so they motivate each other!
I have seen instructors build rapport with students and at the end of the course, even though the students should have failed the course, they would be given a passing grade because the instructor thought they were helping the students confidence to succeed.
Galina, Thank you ! That was a most articulate explanation of the beneficial effects of having a healthy rapport in the classroom. And, as you pointed out, rapport does not result in learning, but it certainly does augment the process.
They may fear you but soon that leads to resentment... and this is a good way to loose students !
Dr. Meers and Arlene, The instructor who was so 'predictable' had a case of tunnel vision. This is a great hindrance to learning. All students weather children or adults need to some degree of trust and rapport with the person who there to help them gain knowledge. For adult learners this is so important because they do not have time to waste ! If the instructor is skillful at laying a solid foundation of trust and rapport the students are far more likely to follow and make their best effort. Thank you.
Hi Larry,
Right you are. Trust also leads to respect and rapport which are two important ingredients for student and teaching success.
Gary
Trust leads the student to focus and understanding the content.
If students do not feel as though they are apart of the class there are more likely to not get involved. In the long run this could lead to low retention and more students dropping classes.
Yes,even though students are interested in the same field they are studying they all have different personalities. I like to find out what they are and relate to each one. If I can have a rapport with them they are then able to confide in me their shortcomings and concerns.
Hi Darlisa,
Nerves can do a real job on the minds and success of students. So the more they can be made comfortable and understand the expectations the more settled they will be in the course. Good point.
Gary
Just as with any aspect of life, you want to know that you can trust what a person is telling or teaching you. For many of our students, this is the first time they will be in a business arena such as the medical field and from student feedback, THEY'RE NERVOUS!!!!
Having an instructor that they feel comfortable with will break barriers beyond the educational realm.
I think that repport is more helpful when you teach a series of courses within the same field. For instance I will first met the students in Intro to Pharm and then follow through will them until thier completion of thier externship and success courses. Having a repport with the students helps me learning what is needed to help the student be successful and complete the course and graduate.
Also rapport helps the students know they have a support system on campus, when things arises that they have to deal with. This is what makes career colleges success stories verus the larger university system. Instructors see thier students as people rather than a number on the roster.
Hi Galina,
Thank you for the comprehensive definition of rapport. You have done a great job of explaining why instructors need to strive to establish rapport with their students. The benefits are great and help to make the learning process just that more enjoyable.
Gary
Rapport, defined as “the ability to maintain harmonious relationships based on affinity” is more colloquially thought of as what happens when two people “click”—they connect, interact well, and respond to each other favorably.
Often it happens when two people are very much alike or have lots in common. That’s one of the reasons it isn’t always easy for instructors to establish rapport with students — sometimes there’s a big age difference; others times it’s having few (if any) shared interests.
However, there are good reasons for faculty to work on establishing rapport with students:
* Higher motivation—When students feel rapport with their teachers and feel that their teacher’s personalities are something like their own, motivation is higher.
* Increased comfort — When there is rapport, students tend to answer more freely and with a greater degree of frankness.
* Increased quality — In a degree program, when students feel rapport with faculty, their perceptions of the quality of that program increase.
* Satisfaction — Rapport leads to satisfaction—supported by much research, including research done in classrooms. When students report having rapport with the instructor, their satisfaction with the course increases.
* Enhanced communication — As rapport grows, so does understanding and comprehension. Teachers and students understand each other better when there is rapport between them.
* Trust — Sometimes trust is necessary for rapport to develop. But trust can also be an outcome. Once rapport has been established, trust between parties grows.
Rapport does not result in learning, but it certainly helps to create conditions conducive to learning—things like higher motivation, increased comfort, and enhanced communication. Teaching doesn’t always result in learning either, but, like rapport, it is one of those factors that can contribute positively to learning.
To first develop a rapport with the students, you will understand what their needs are and basic goals. If you take the time to understand the students wants and needs you will know how to develop a plan to help them succeed.
Rapport will create that trust that is so important between instructor and students. Without trust there is not respect, and without respect there is nothing in the classroom.
Hi Nastassia,
So true and well said. Thank you for reinforcing it through your forum comments. Rapport is the foundation for a positive learning environment for both students and instructors.
Gary
The development of rapport with students is so important in teaching because it allows for communication amongst the pupils which possibly could increase their chances for success. It is important to understand students and their complex lives which is a key component to being a successful educator. Relationship building is crucial for success. Developing rapport allows students to feel respected and understood.
If students believe in your teaching then they will follow you to where ever you will lead them without much hassle. Rapport also aid in student retention and thier success rates. Sometimes at career colleges instructors are the first person who let the students' know that we believe in them and that they can succeed.
That can mean the world to a first generation college student.
