Overcoming the Obvious
1.self doubt
2.procrastination
3.settling for anything
Self doubt & low self esteem, are the most common reasons, that results in a student's failure.
As an instructor, our job is to
is to inspire people to think clearly, to live deliberately, to conquer fear and embrace the positive results that life brings.
Hi Darleen,
The "creating a connection" part of teaching is so important. By sharing your own life experiences as a busy pressured student your current students can see that you understand them. They know you are there to support their efforts as they work through the course and that results in your point about respect. It does become mutual respect very shortly.
Gary
I also find that sharing "my beginings" with students lets them know that I was once were they are now and that with perseverance, they, too can attain their educational and career goals. Mutual respect is established and students are more apt to share their own fears with me as well as with other students. I faced many barriers early in my career, as do most of my students today and this is important for them to understand. Most barriers can be overcome and with this, comes an increase in self esteem and self worth.
Hi Wilbur,
Mutual respect is the key to developing rapport with your students. You are letting them know you have been where they are and that you understand the learning needs that they have. With this understanding you can build a relationship with them that will result in learning growth and professional respect.
Gary
Until just two weeks ago, I have never been considered a professional instructor. I have trained many groups of individuals as part of my prior "job description". My method of getting to know my students has been to allow them to get to know me. Once they find that I have done what they are there to learn how to do, and I have faced the same fears and anxiety they are feeling; they have no trouble "sharing" with myself or the class. This quickly settles out to a mutual respect, and positive learning atmosphere.
I agree with this post as well as the reply I read. In order to determine the student has self doubt, procrastinate or settle, we instructors should do our best to learn the students personally. I try to first get their names straight then try to meet them one on one as soon as I can. If I detect any of the above problems I can work with them and hopefully have another successful student.
I belive that there are many reasons that students fail, and that it is not most commonly how they percieve themselves; i.e. self esteem. I have seen many successful students who do not possess a high self worth and many others that seem to be very proud of themselves that do not do well on an academic level. Many students lack the motivation to learn, are at some level limited in thier ability to learn or have many other social and economic needs that distract from the learning process. There is also the factor of not having a good instructor. Not all instuctors are blessed with the skill they need to teach a challanged learned.
