Maintaining dignity
As I believe Madeline Hunter stressed, saving a student's dignity is so important. When a student offers an answer that is incorrect, the tendency is to reply "no, that is not it." Using phrases like, "You may be thinking of . . ." to look for something correct to help save face is an important motivator as students soon learn your class is a safe learning environment.
Hi Gloria,
I like this way of helping students to stay engaged in the course while getting them oriented to another way of approaching a topic. A safe and supportive way for them to become involved.
Gary
The restating is the best way not to embarrsed the student. They realize then that their thought process must move to a new point of referrence.
This is so true....I will always say..."I understand what you are saying...but how about this approach..."
Hi James,
You raise a good question about how to get students to really think through and analyze possible solutions to problems. The majority of the students will be entering service fields which are in reality problem solving situations over and over again.
The more skill they can develop in analyzing and solving problems in their educational setting the better they will be at it once they are employed. In addition, they have you the instructor as a safety net to help them work through the steps with minimum consequences. This way they can take more risks and think on a broader scale as they develop their knowledge base.
Gary
This is such a good observation. I admit that I have too often used "no," to interrupt an incorrect action. Perhaps it comes from the way I may have heard corrections from my parents, instructors, and friends. What helps me is to imagine that the student may see the action or the answer as acceptable, so I need to honor that, and help the student revisit the action or question without any judgement. Often, the student then becomes motivated to try or question more deeply or thoroughly. Do you agree?
I find that my students are so excited about being here that they sometimes give the wrong answer even tho they know what the correct answer is, so when I get an incorrect answer I restate the question which gives them time to rethink their answer, rather then just shooting them down for giving me a wrong answer.
Hi Marlene,
Good point and one we must always keep in mind. If we embarrass a student we will have lost him or her. By helping them see how they can improve on their answers or take another direction on finding information we will have helped them to become self learners.
Gary
