Developing rapport with students is important on a number of levels. Students feel more comfortable learning from someone they know a little bit about, and who takes the time to learn a little bit about them. When students can relate to you, it makes you more approachable. I think also, when taking the "human factor" into consideration, when you seem more like a "real person", students will relate to you better.
Rapport is important because teachers must be approachable. We need to be easy enough to talk to that students feel comfortable asking us questions and relating to our experiences, but we must maintain our leadership postion and professional boundaries.
Establishing rapport between instructor and students helps build a sense of trust and openness that is essential for students to feel confident about joining group discussions and activities, as well as asking questions.
I've found that students in classes I teach like to know that I also take courses, and sharing some of my personal experiences related to them helps to break down barriers. It seems that students like to know that I sometimes find myself in situations similar to their own, and it also helps me to remember how it feels to be on the 'student side' of a course. That mutual sense of understanding opens channels of communication between us.
I've noticed that students like to hear about personal experiences, and I like to occasionally tie in stories where I've faced an issue or made a mistake initially before figuring out how to solve a problem. For example, I tell about how I've previously encountered issues with establishing file access permissions when doing server administration. This really helps students see the thinking, problem solving, and impact of the professional skills they've come to us to build. In addition, they feel more comfortable with the process of learning these skills and asking questions about them.
Developing a rapport with students provides motivation to them to want to participate and engage with the material
A healthy rapport with students signals to them that you are accessable and that you have reached out to them. It should help set the stage for mutual respect and cooperation in the pursuit of the goals of the subject matter.
Hi Jana,
Rapport is so important for teaching success. You have given some great advice for instructors to follow in order to develop rapport with their students. The human aspect of teaching is so important in building a connection between instructor and students.
Gary
It helps go understand and develop trust that they perhaps did not have about learning.
I feel that establishing a rapport with your students helps to keep the lines of communication open. An open line of communication between the students and instructor is one of the keys to a successful course. I want students to feel comfortable approaching me with any questions they may have regarding course materials and assignments. Students will not be comfortable doing so if you have not established a good rapport. You want to send a clear message that you are there to help them be successful.
Lori
I contribute my success as an instructor to my ability to develop a positive rapport with students. Once they "buy into" the fact that I'm there to guide, mentor, support them in their journey they are much more willing to put the time and energy into the class. I want my students to see me as a real person...not someone who can't relate to them.
Dana I agree with you about keeping a respect between the students. Although many of my students are older than I am therefore, I do create a type of friendship with them of mutual respect. This usually serves me well in the class. I tried to incorporate their life experiences into the curriculum. I also make a point of letting them know that the whole class can learn from one another. But every example is different. Great post
The more comfortable the students feel with the instructor, the more they are willing to partcipate and learn in the class. I feel that the students whom I have a good rapport with accept my attempts to teach them the material and want to participate in the learning experience.
Hi Elizabeth,
In addition to the two concepts you listed what are some others that you could share with new instructors as they get started?
Gary
Acceptance, Understanding...goes a long way.
Hi Shawn,
Right you are about the need for creating a connection with students. What are some ways you do that when starting a new class of students?
Gary
Your students have to feel comfortable with you. From my experience, the adult learners' success correlates to your rapport with them. They have to trust that you understand them.
Students need to connect with you, feel comfortable, and have a willingness to communicate with you on the topics being discussed. This will help to student to retain the information better & feel more confident about what they have learned.
Hi Brian,
So true. The establishing of rapport and the earning of respect sets the tone for the class. Through these two a connection can be made that helps the students to see the human factor involved in career success.
Gary
Rapport is the foundation that student/teacher trust is built upon to facilitate the learning process for the student. If the student does not feel a rapport with the instructor, then retained knowledge is minimal if at all.
Education, in its primary classroom/lab form, is directly focused on interaction....between the instructor and individual students and the aggregated student body as well as among the students themselves. If an instructor does not build a solid rapport with his or her students, they have a tough uphill climb in the learning environment, regardless of the location.
Developing student rapport is so important in establishing a "working team" in your classroom. To have the students feel confident to ask questions and to engage in what they feel passionate about. To encourage the students to not be afraid in reaching out. To feel good about learning.
