Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Elisha,
Thanks for sharing the reinforcing strategies. These are great ways to let the students know they are doing good things but their friends, families, and peers can see as well.
Gary

Elisha Terre

I like to take that one step further. Not only do I praise students for jobs well done, I have a bulletin board outside my office where I hang candid pictures of my students, or projects that were well executed by them. I always ask permission of the students first. I also have a professional facebook account that is only for my students. I will comment on their pages about the great jobs they are doing in class, and to keep up the good work!

Mia Basic

I like to recognize students. I believe that we all like some public recognition. It is a very important, very inexpensive way to lead the student to the success. There is always area that we can all use it as an area of improvement. I believe that is true statement: “There is always some room for improvement” and we all can improve and continue to learn. However we do not need to discuss the area of improvement in public.

Brenna O'Connor

Some may have had the occasional disgruntled student that may think this (praising someone else) is showing favoritism, but if you offer praise publicly as often as this exercise suggests, that wouldn't be a problem.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Jeanne,
Well said and good point. Building up students helps both them and you reap many rewards in the long run with increased rapport and respect being developed.
Gary

Jeanne St. Claire

I, too, have adhered to this policy and the rewards have been great. No one likes to hear corrective feedback in front of other people. However, they really like to receive compliments in front of their peers.

It reminds me of another old addage: never say anthing negative about another person. It will come back to you at the most inconvenient time.

Matthew Trzebiatowski

I agree very much with the concept of public praise. In a creative design field, we often must publicly critique a student’s creative work - this sometimes leads to comments that can be perceived as negative to the student. I find it very important to ALWAYS pair a positive comment to anything that may be perceived as negative or critical. I then request opinions of the critique from the other classmates to seek reinforcement or to discuss countering viewpoints. Also, since the design field is often subjective, I remind students that my opinion is one of many and that I am not the only authority on the topic. Fairness and enthusiasm are critical in situations such as these.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi John,
You are right about the motivation factor. Having others know that they are being commended for a job well done or a project completed with excellence really helps student self confidence and esteem.
Gary

John Price

I also believe that praise should be public.Too many times have I heard that everybody seems to only remember or recognize the things you do wrong but noone seems to remember or recognize the things you do right.Praise in public is a great motivater. Sometimes I will praise the whole class as a group for a job well done to help in not only motivation but also to assist in team building as well. J.P.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Lucille,
You make a good point. Conversations like that need to be done privately so the student can benefit from the input but not be embarrassed in the process.
Gary

Lucille Micale Miller

I agree completely. I would never want to be in front of my peers and get an earful from my instructor. Besides the fact that it’s belittling, it is unprofessional for an instructor to do so.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Jeff,
Good advice for all instructors. Praise can be a very effective learning tool. The use of it does need to be balanced as you indicated. Thanks for sharing.
Gary

Jeff Wright

I think, "praise in public and punish in private" is a great adage. Keep in mind that public Praise needs to be doled out carefully and fairly so as not to stifle the efforts of those who feel they weren't praised enough or at all. There also may be feelings that others may be overly praised or unnecessarily praised. It can lead to unintended issues.
Jeff

William Irwin

I totally agree. Some things should only be discussed behind closed doors where as praise should be publiclly acknowledged.

denise hawken-collins

I agree with this. This is very helpful for student retention.

Germain Peladeau CHEP

It is a great way to bring student to the table and open conversation