Valuing Student Opinions
What are some ways to make students feel their opinions are valued?
My students feedback is clearly the best way I define and refocus my skills. The feedback I receive helps me redirect and redefine my course autlines to better accomodate their needs.
Listening to students and their observation and responding to them in a positive manner or thanking them for their input.
Gary,
Your last sentence is a good way to approach the learning process as an instructor. I have been an instructor for many years and yet every time I teach a course I learn so much from my students and the knowledge and experiences they bring to the classroom.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Since I don't know is not an acceptable student answer in my class, you have to be ready for an opinion that is different than yours. We all can have an opinion. What is fact or not has a definite answer. Hearing a different opinion can spark an idea you never thought of and can reformulate your own opinion. Even the trainer can learn from a student.
I think that engaging students in a discussion that might not necessarily be the focal point of what you planned will make them feel valued. I would respect teachers that would care to take time to answer questions that were a bit "off topic." It shows their expertise in the field if they can go beyond the book as well.
Herbert,
Like your approach and your support of your students. Yes, there is much to be learned from them no matter our age. I to have been teaching for over 30 years so I can relate to your comments.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am at the age where I am significantly older that all of the students in my classes. But, I have found real joy in learning new things from my younger students who I look upon as grand-children, so to speak. I'm often taken aback by what they have lived through or have had to deal with. I work at making examples out of those experiences as a way of engaging other students by encouraging their feedback and suggestions on how they might have handled the same situation. I constantly remind them that there is rarely a wrong way or a right way, but simply alternatives to what was done. During the past five years, this has been an amazing tool for the students to learn to trust one another. And it has help in building respect and rapport between the students and me, as their instructor/mentor.
Thanks, Gary! I learned this lesson the hard way (unfortunately) and lost connection with a student. I am now much more conscious of my actions and tone of voice when dealing with students - and people on the street.
It is also very important to not minimize when a student is struggling with a math problem. I have to remain a positive cheerleader, giving the student positive encouragement that they can solve the problem if they just keep trying. Without this constant positive feedback, the struggling students simply stop trying.
Karlee,
Yes it is and then it can build from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Letting students know that you appreciate participation is the first step.
Jerry,
Listening is a powerful connecting tool for instructors to use. As you mention you have learned how to listen to your students and then respond to their questions and concerns. By listening you are showing them respect and this is critical if trust is going to be developed in a class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that I need to pause in my activities and focus on the student speaking. I need to actively listen to their complete statement or question before replying. I need to respect their opinion, especially when it differs from mine or what I consider to be correct. I need to be gracious when offering an explanation as to why their opinion is not correct. Finally, I need to followup and ask if their question was answered or if their opinion was heard.
I have learned this procedure the hard way. I used to answer students questions before they had finished the question. Even though I was correct most of the time, this made the students feel that their question or opinion was not important. Therefore, I changed my methods so that I consistently send a message that the student is important.
N. Dianne,
Good strategy for helping students to remain a part of the discussion even though they are off base or incorrect. These simple phrases help to keep them in the game and will encourage them to speak up in future discussions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Never embarass a student in front of the class. If you disagree or the answer is incorrect, use phrases such as "that's an interesting take on the topic" or "I see where you're coming from. What if".....and refocus the student's thoughts.
Agreed. As an instructor with a wide age range of students, I believe that the golden rule still applies. This is true of all of the age ranges.
I agree the golden rule is one to live life bye.
LaShonda,
President Johnson had a saying handing on the wall of the Oval Office that I think really reflects the role of listening. It said "When you are listening you are learning, when you are talking your are not." Listening is a great skill and students really respect an instructor that listens to them and considers their opinions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always listen to the students. Listening to the students makes the students feel important. If I'm not quite sure about a topic they are discussing I ask them to give me an example. Giving me reason to a certain topic opens up a discussion for others to respond. I also share with the students that we should respect each others opinions even when we don't agree.
Great post. Experienced students have significant life lessons that are extremely valuable for the other students. The younger students possess an energy and curiousity that can be wonderfully contagious. We are constantly learning from one another.
