Positive Feedback
Having rapport with students in the discussion board on a daily basis will keep instructors aware of how students are doing each day with the assignments. One issue that I do face as an online instructor is getting students to ask questions on assignments. In most cases, they come in late or not at all with incomplete work with specific assignments. I make sure to give positive feedback to students and show them how to complete those problem sets. I also let them know in my feedback that I encourage them to post questions in the discussion board or to me by email so that they can earn the most points on these assignments.
Hi Dave,
I hear you loud and clear on being able to say something positive about a student's work when it is a train wreck in almost every way. I graded such a paper just last week. I think the only thing the student got right was the spelling of his name. Thankfully is name was only four letters or he might have misspelled it. I did find a couple of things and was able to talk with him about his work. He thanked me and is going to hand in his revision to me on Monday. Looking forward to finding many positive aspects of his revised project.
Gary
I can't hear how important this is too often. It is not really my nature so I have to work hard at it. I find it easy to point out errors in assignment and I am able to provide help, but to find the few things done well from a mass of incorrect work is challenging to me.
Charles-
I really like your suggestion of changing a negative word to a positive one. I think really the mind-set is the key.
Not so much that you have to search for a new word to replace but, rather, that your mind-set is focused on staying positive in the moment.
Helping students understand the technique of finding positive, letting go of negative, and discovering methodologies for themselves that work in helping problems and frustrations become challenges and opportunities, is a key to developing good students, individuals and professionals.
Positive reinforcment give the greatest reward. Making students feel good about themselve enhances the learning experience. Even if a student isnt doing well he will strive to do his best!
I agee with you as well, however I will also add that keeping student involved with tutoring and having them participating in class helps me bring the best attitude out of them and we build a level of confidence that allows us to move to other topics.
Hello Joe,
Nowadays it seems so important not to have a bad day in life because of the fallout or damage it leaves behind us and the never ending ways to say "I am sorry for the misunderstanding". Students are in essence looking for that 24/7 satifaction of instructional encouragement with doors that never close to the student population. It is so important for one to prepare the mind before service in the classroom environment and always project positive feedback in communication. I have an exercise of finding a positive word to replace a negative word each day to help change my approach in the communication area when speaking. Does it work, well it's a start with the students help as I increase the word usage.
Hi Joe,
You have listed some good support strategies for teaching online. Thanks for sharing them. We are always on the lookout for additional methods we can use to support the students and show them we are there to help them with their success.
Gary
