Instructor listening
I find that I must be careful to remain active to student needs when listening to them. It gives value to their question.
Hi Mike,
Students need as much guidance and facilitation as possible. Our students really do depend on us for a lot.
Patricia Scales
I often use openended questions in my lecture to help guide their thoughts and get a responce to the question ,Listen to what they are saying and guide their thought process to the correst answer.
This is a great point.I teach the first class when the students come to us. In order for me to have time to listen I tell my students the best time for me to listen to them.I tell them that I need time to get ready for class and that is not a good time but later when we get started to ask the qusetion and if a student needs a one on one with me I have time at the end of class.
It as important for us to remain active to the student as it is for them to be the same with us. We are teachers and we teach by example. We are their role model.
I agree that listening so that students know they are being heard is very important. I have also found it helpful to encourage students to listen to and to respond to each other in those types of ways. It helps to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable talking and I think taking a little time to remind everyone to do that shows that the instructor is truly serious about that issue. I think that helps to encourage confidence that the instructor will truly listen, respect what's being said, and try to help or encourage as appropriate.
-Sarah
Hi Nathan,
Some students need more time than others. We have to make ourselves available so that our students know they are important to us.
Patricia Scales
It should be mentioned that you need to be prepared to spend the time needed for a student to fully vent. If you take the time to listen to somebody vent but cut them off to run off then you devalue the time that you did spend with them.
Hi Geri,
I love your perspective! You are definitely correct! I can tell you genuinely care about your students! Continue to care, students appreciate you more when they know that you care.
Patricia Scales
I believe that letting a student know you care by listening can make all the difference in the world to them. There are some students who just need the attention, and I usually give it to them because if that is what is going to motivate them, then why not? I give my students my full attention when they are speaking to me so that they know I have heard them and care about what they are commenting on or asking. I, myself, find it extremely rude when I am speaking to someone and their attention is on something or someone else or they are texting or fumbling through a book, et cetera. So I will not do that when a student is speaking to me. If we do not show them we care about what they have to say or ask, then why are we there? We are educators, and with that comes students with questions and/or comments. I think the least we can do is give them our full attention and be attentive to them. After all, we may even learn a thing or two.:)
Hi John,
I let my students know that it is okay to disagree with me as long as it is done respectfully. Disagreements from students really do generate great class discussions.
Patricia Scales
Hi Cynthia,
I love your passion for your students and the profession. Our students really need to know that we genuinely care about them. Continue to listen to your students attentively.
Patricia Scales
I have found it to be quite interesting the difference between my young adult students versus my "more mature" adult students. I, myself, being a "more mature" instructor find it easier to relate to the more mature student in that they seem to be better able to express their thoughts, opinions, feelings, etcetera. Now, not to say I feel any inadequacies in listening to my younger adult students. However, I do have to wear a different hat, so to speak, listen on a little different level to what they're expressing to me. Nevertheless, younger or older, just showing your student you really care about whatever their concern and giving your most honest and educated response brings them back time and again for your advice and sometimes just an ear to listen. I know it does my heart good knowing I've been of help to them.
I feel that it is a must to listen to the student. Let them talk. During lectures, I like it when a students disagrees with me, as this starts grest discussions. Sometimes when the students tell me why he feels the way he does ot thinks the way he does it helps me to guide him?her in the right directions. This als helps other students who felt the same but did not want to speak up in front of the class.
Hi Scott,
I concur! A student does not care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Patricia Scales
Robert, I completely agree with you. When you truly listen to what the students are saying means that you truly care about them. It is the first step in changing the world one student at a time.
Hi Robert,
Listening is key! Sometimes students just want to be heard. We all need to vent at times.
Patricia Scales
