Several ways I try to support a student to have confidence is that I meet with each student at the beginning of the course to find out what their goals are and motivations. Then throughout the course, I relay the information back to their goals. If a student does not understand a concept, I go over it individually with them until they succeed. This helps them overcome their doubts. Lastly, I keep the students engaged in activities all the time. I have seen that when other instructors do not do this, the students have dropped out.
When students come in to my class the first day and are intimidated with learning the course, It's great to see the light come on 3 weeks later.
When I first started teaching I thought students who were not paying attention in class did not want to be in school. In the past few years I have been talking to these students and I have come to realize that they are avoiding engaging because they are feeling self-doubt and insecure. I have recently started addressing the issue head on in the beginning of class by telling students that everyone is nervous but we can all work together to help everyone achieve their goals. It sounds simplistic but students respond well and are more motivated in class after acknowledging their own fears and realizing they are not alone.
A physically challenged student told me she was being encouraged by administration to quit the program because it was beyond her ability. I discouraged that thought & helped her overcome the doubt imposed on her by others. Later she told me how much she appreciated the support & the belief in her capability to meet or exceed the program requirements.
Morgan, yes what a great experience. It is like seeing the lights go on in their heads. What resources do you provide to those rare students that may not achieve a level of relaxation that you see in other students? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Teri, great job taking time to engage with your students and getting them to discuss their qualities and allowing them to build in their levels of confidence.
James Jackson
Working in the realm of surgical technology can be very tricky. It becomes very evident when the student reaches Clinicals. They often times believe they cant perform the procedures. I found pulling them aside and talking to them one on one works best.
I can easily look back during each term and see my students doubt procedures that I need them to accomplish. Things like making a mayonnaise or creating a béchamel are very difficult to make for the new cook. What I think helps is doing the work along and helping and guiding a student to success and making them realize that they can do it. The key is to do step by step work helping.
