Hi Brandon,
Good strategies for getting the students to feel welcome in the class as well as comfortable that they can be successful during the course.
Gary
Some strategies for making students feel a part of class is to greet them at the door, learn their names and their back ground to help them use their background in their learning process. Also, trying to give them knowledge about a subject and then letting use this knowledge in class with a group project or something to help them retain the infromation. Incorpereating projects, asking questions to individuals, and maybe letting the students vent about a paticular problem the whole class maybe having with a specific class and then moving on to your class will help students feel like you care.
I try to keep students involved by asking them to share their stories about a particular topic. I know which students have jobs in their chosen school field of study and ask for recent examples from work. They are usually excited to participate and the other students remember their stories.
I believe that starting with small group excecises would help. Perhaps even having the person give a report back from their small group.
I think the simplest, and most effective thing is to ask for their input. In every class, there are those few students who always seem to be the ones that answer instructor questions, and ask ones of their own. Asking the more quiet students their opinions, and asking them to share perhaps life experiences that may relate to the topic being discussed is a good way to making them feel part of the classroom community. We are like to feel valued, have our opinions and thoughts valued, and appreciated. When we can talk about things that we have experienced, and relate them to the topics covered in class, it makes each of us feel more part of the group.
A slight variation of this that I use is to have students submit written to me feedback before critique sessions. These statements are then used (keeping original writers anonymous if necessary) to begin discussion between the students about the work.
I have then all doing inclass exercises and give each other feedback usually each class.
Hi Geneveva,
This has been my experience as well. It is often a slow process but generally these students come around and start contributing to the class discussions and projects.
Gary
This is a tough one. Often times when I try to include a student who seems to be keeping to themselves, I find myself feeling uncomfortable as well as the rest of the class. I try to incorporate a lot of cooperative learning in the class. I have found that many times the students that are quiet are the ones that are just not sure and when they work with other students they feel more sure. This often results in them joining the discussion.
In my online classes, I create an introductions discussion board. In my posts and feedback, I always use the students' names. I return emails very quickly so that they know I respect their concerns. I always speak to everyone when they come into the chat rooms and answer their questions by name. I also use the beginning and end of class to make them comfortable with humor/stories/small talk.
Hi Gregory,
These little things like introductions really help to get the students settled into the course. I do introductions and a fun ice breaker so by the time I am ready to introduce the syllabus and the course requirements they are starting to gel as a class and feel they know each other a little better. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I know it is a bit cliche, but I do have then introduce themselves on the first day and share a little something about themselves.
I also find it helpful to ask them from where they commute. They can then empathize with each other about daily traffic and over coming obstacles that might keep them from getting to school.
I work and teach at an online university, so my experiences with engaging students to make them feel a part of the class are probably a bit different than those who teach at a traditional university. In my first class, I do some sort of an ice breaker to get students to interact with myself and the others in the class. This makes them feel a bit more comfortable from the start. Throughout the class hour, I ask them questions to get them thinking about the topic and they can respond via the chat pod that is set up for them. I also encourage students to network with one another and to participate in the different activities that the university offers. A lot of times in an online environment, students feel very isolated and doing these things makes them see that they are not alone.
I make it a point to go around the room and ask each student a question. If they don't know the answer, I have them ask one of their classmates until we get the right answer.
Hi Carol,
Great to hear how you have adapted your instructional approach to include the students into a welcoming environment and to get them settled into the class. You are on the right path to get your students feeling comfortable and feeling accepted into the course. By keeping in contact with the students and be responsive to their questions you will earn their respect.
Gary
Helping to make a student feel part of the class does differ greatly between online and ground courses. As I am primarily an online instructor, I will be taking that avenue. For one, Dr. Meers sent me an email last week welcoming me to class and inviting me to participate in the Forum Three. This was a warm, encouraging method to make feel guilty about not participating until today! ;) This is a trick that I will use in the near future – Thanks Dr. Meers!
Encouraging participation in discussion postings consists of three techniques. You can ask for more information from the student, tell a story relating to what the student’s discussion is about or as the student a relevant question. All three techniques work very well.
Hi Fatima,
I agree with you on the type of reinforcement and encouragement to give to students. It needs to be customized to their position in the course. This way the recognition is of value to that student.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
I strongly believe that every studentd needs to be recogognized in different ways. It is the instructor's job to conclude what type of reinforcement each student wants. The more mature students may not appreciate a mere "Good job!" They would rather have you respect their age and maturity as address them as adults, namely giving specified feedback on some aspect of their work. It is also important to remember that the reinforcement is well deserved and not just a meaningless remark.
During my lecture period I always make sure to make eye contact with each and every one of my students. I feel that this technique not only motivates them to maintain their focus on the material we are discussing, but it also lets them know that I really want them to absorb the information since it is crucial to their success. In the lab section of class, I always make sure to walk around and spend time with each student one on one. This way they are able to get personal hands on learning and demonstration time, and really feel some connection to the class and the course content.
This will be very helpful for me to remember each student's name and something unique to them.
