I agree, the confidence and product knowledge of the Instructor will transfer directly to the class. Many Students are learning systems that scare the *^$$# out of them. We have to remember to take it one step at a time, fit all the pieces togeather and what for the "ah-ha" moment!
Deborah, great use of technology and demonstrates the power of creative thinking. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
I had a student who felt intimidated by the course because her experiences have focused on other areas. I encouraged her to attend my Live Chats twice weekly and ask questions. I gave her prompt feedback and encouraging words. She seemed to "blossom" and earned good grades. It was a rewarding experience.
Robert, what techniques can you share that you use to build confidence in your students. Knowledge, practice and repetition is somewhat vague. If it takes 10 attempts to build confidence is this allowed? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Sandra, anything more you can share concerning the student? We're you able to assist them in feeling better about their abilities? If so, please share what you did to bring the student to a new level of self awareness.
James Jackson
This topic truley pertains to myself. I teach culinary where so many of my students doubt themselves. Explaining to them that only through knowledge and practice, or repetation, that excellence is achived. I love it when they begin and get bettet and better. They blossum.
As an instructor, this is quite evident in my interactions with students. In teaching my career development class, I believe it is important for students to expand their comfort zones which is a topic discussed in class. They are require to make presentations in front of the class. I always have student doubt their abilty to speak before their peers. I have discovered we constant encouragement from me ans their peers that they can find away to onvercome this fear.
In teaching my psychology class, this become evident when students question their ability to learn material due to its volume. I typically use example of student who have or current succeeding to show them that it is humanly possible.
I had a student who was so rap up in his self doubt, he could not function. We as instructors have to be ingadge enought to see it and encourage him or her, but not feel sorry for them. Compassion is the key,and motive them,encouragement over and over again til the feel it too.
Ted, what outstanding examples to share with your students. Keep the names neutral as it is not important students know who these people are but knowing you have seen such transformations personally can really assist in students connecting with your story.
James Jackson
I had a student recently who was currently homeless and growing up had been moved from foster home to foster home. Working with the student I was able to find out what had motivated them to come back to school and then helpmed them keep that motivation firmly in hand. While it has been difficult they have been working their way through school. As an example for them I have a friend who I went to school with who had gone through a very similar situation to their own and is now a small business and home owner who has been able to turn their life around completely.
John, great example. I witnessed a very cool demonstration by a great culinary instructor. He prepared a magnificant meal as a course presentation and then burnt some food and over seasoned the food. He disposed of the meal and then prepared another all for the purpose of demonstrating how no damage had really been done. He referenced how he was better able to prepare a better meal taking into consideration his initial mistakes. Thismdemomreally put the students at ease.
James Jackson
Thomas, having students participate in the the delivery of the curriculum is a very effective technique. It requires a significant effort by the instructor but the benefits are great on building confidence in the the students.
James Jackson
Inmany of my beginning classes in culinary education many students are afraid of ruining the food by burning,overseasoning, etc. One of my main objectives during the first six weeks of school is to make sure that they are secure in the knowledge that they can fail and succeed. By burning, overseasoning etc. they are learning by making mistakes. After a while because they are not afraid of the negative consequences they feel secure. this security will breed confidence in about 2 weeks which eventually leads to the removal of the initial doubt and the creeping confidence that this cooking is not that daunting of a task
I find that some times having some one else from the class explain something works when I can not . A peer of the student sometimes can remove self doubt.The student does not seem threatened as they would be by the instructor presence. They seem to calm down and talk it out better.
kenneth, the first test should also be delivered with the maximum amount of instruction, explanation, and simulation.
James Jackson
I think care should also be taken in how a course is planned. That first test that students take in any given course should be least difficult. this gives the students a confidence boost to start with.
Mario, well stated. Some instructors focus so much on the negative they fail to see the value of positive teaching. Turn the negatives into positives and more students follow your lead. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
David, can you share with us some of your techniques for building confidence in your students?
James Jackson
Jeff, perception can be more powerful than reality so you have this concept well in hand. Looks like you have an actual strategy to build confidence in your students and reinforce your lesson plans with positive and tactile activities. This is an effective form of active learning and tends to yield very positive results.
James Jackson
Sharon, make use of your own experiences and continually put yourself in the shoes of your students. This technique will allow you to better understand your students and connect with them in a way that will allow them to trust you, respect you and most importantly, learn from you.
James Jackson
