Wade,
What are strategies you use to show your students the value of what you have to contribute as their instructor?
Thanks for sharing with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
If we are good enough instructors it gives them a reason to stay.
Harrison,
Good reminder for all of us. Each day of class is a mini-fresh start so we need to continue to meet and greet each time the class is in session. Little things like this really add up in terms of student respect and rapport.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sometimes I catch myself taking the students for granted. If I'm not careful I asume they automatically know what I'm talking about because they are adults and thats not always true because I have such a diverse age range to where some are just out of high school and some are older than me.
I have to remind myself daily to greet them each morning, ask about their evening, encourage them daily and they are here to learn, if they already know what I know ,why come?
When I see students who are easily intimidated I try to include them more. Many times I see those students standing in the back. They fear participation because they don't want to look "dumb" in front of their peers. I use humor as much as possible so they can relax. I purposely will make mistakes at times showing them that we all forget but we can learn from those mistakes made.
Nancy,
Approach them privately before or after class is one way. Another is to have students write their questions on 3X5 cards and hand them in. This way you can answer their questions and they don't have to speak out loud in the class. I use a lot of small group (3-4 students) in classes. In the smaller venues they open up and share which helps them build their confidence in becoming more effective in their communication in a large group setting.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
What about the shy students that have a hard time coming to the instructor with questions? Have any advise on this type of situation?
That is so true. They already have their fears and just sitting in front of us makes it worse.
Hi Elizabeth,
It is very important to give encouragement to students, sometimes they are facing some real life challenges and while we do too, tey just need a kind word. It real makes a difference.
Sean,
It is fun as a teacher to rediscover some of the strategies that worked for us in our early days of teaching. Trying them again can be fun and refreshing as we prepare our instructional delivery.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Going through this module has really made me think back to when I first started teaching. I started off teaching the "introductory" courses where most students were nervous and didn't know what to expect. I made it a point to try to do many of the suggestions in the material, especially to talk to each student at the start of the shift and just ask how they were doing. It worked wonderfully to help the students feel more comfortable and relaxed with you.
Now I have been teaching for a number of years and teach primarily the final courses just prior to graduation. The students that got this far are perfectly comfortable with the flow of the courses and do not need those things quite so much. So, unfortunately, I have stopped doing many of those things I used to do. I aim to make a point of getting back to doing all those things I used to do.
Khalid,
Being approachable forms the foundation for the earning of student respect and development of rapport. Two very important aspects of being an effective instructor.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Linda,
Little things (candy) like this build in to big success stories. Keep up the good work of supporting your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
the key to effective student retention is that we should be very approachable to students
After my students receive their first homework score, many come to me during office hours to insure that they are on the right track. I reward them with candy (positive reinforcement, it works) Also, I again tell them in each class to come, call or email me regarding questions and stress I am here to help them succeed, but they must take the accountability to contact me
that would be corect, it takes 100% effort each and every day to keep all students interested and coming back for more, i try and find the life comparing situations to the subject and incorporate it int my lecture , we are all human and can always relate to others storys
Ghia,
One of the enjoyable parts of being an instructor is working with students. Developing rapport with them and helping them make progress toward their career goal is such a great return for our efforts as learning leaders.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree, students should be able to approach their instructors. We should have a instructor student relationship. That way if they have any questions or problems regarding homeworks or other school work they can come to you and ask and this will help them to succeed in class.
Harriet,
So true and so important to student success. If they know they have an approachable instructor that cares about them and their success the stage has been set for the development of rapport. This also enhances student retention significantly.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think that all students need to feel that they can approach their instructors, this is the way that the student will succeed.
