Hi Kelli,
You can really sympathize and empathize with your students because you were a nontraditional student. I am sure you can really relate to your students and be a super motivator to them.
Patricia Scales
It is essential. Each student must know that their success in your course is important to you. If he or she does not approach the instructor, it is the responsibility of the instructor to seek out the student to encourage and advise the student.
In my online class I believe it is so important to have interaction with the students as I do not have that face to face classroom experience. I encourage the students to e-mail me and I try to address each communication submitted during my online chats. In this way I think it encourages the students to not be scared to ask questions even if they think it is a dumb question. Usually, any question you ask the majority of your classmates are wondering about also.
I have come to ENJOY my student interactions, especially BEFORE class. I like to get there early, greet them by name as they come in, comment about ANYthing relevant to them or the class or the day or ANYthing to get them to respond back.
Even a few parting comments to students as they leave seems to keep them connected and engaged.
It's been a very rewarding aspect to both classes I've taught so far at this institution.
Interacting with students on an individual basis reinforces their importance to you which makes them all the more receptive to whatever it is you have to say or teach them.
Interacting with every student can help you as an instructor in several ways. First by getting a little one-on-one time with you helps ease the tension a student may have about your class or lab. Second it allows you the oppertunity to ensure that each student is absorbing the information that you are trying to get them to learn. Third it demonstrates that you do not show favoritism to any one individual and that you are there and willing to spend the time it takes to help insure that they are getting best learning experence.
I want each student to feel like they belong in class. I want them to look forward to the learning process and to enjoy the changes they are undertaking to start a new career. I want to know that I am their teacher and mentor and that I will be friendly with them but not drinking buddies. I can be a resource for them and am here to guide them through their learning process.
Students can get lost in a crowd or everyday. In order to help students to become the best that they can be it is essential to make a connection so that instructors can evaluate them, see if they are making progress and also it keeps the door open so then a student is more likely to talk to the instructor and interact if they feel there is an open door to communication.
Laura,
Not only do I know about my students, they also know those things about me. I was not the traditional student. My educational path was very similar to many of my students. My experiences, good and bad, encourage them to push through.
Each student has their own learning style. In order for an instructor to verify if a student is understanding the information, one on one interaction can help confirm. This is also very important for those shy/quiet students who may not feel comfortable addressing the entire class with questions. Knowing alittle about each student makes their education more personal.
Interaction with sudents has a duel purpose. One it does show the student that you care about their opinion and shows your impartiality to all the students. The second purpose is to bring out input from these students which will contribute to the topic and discussion at hand. The question then arises as to whether the instructor allows the silent student to sit and mull over the information until they do have something to say or to costantly call on this student until they finally join in the discussion. One way to find out which way to go would be to meet with the individual in private to see if their in activity is due to shyness or not having an opinion. Remember, not everyone will have an opinion right away. Revisiting a topic during the next class may also help.
it is every students right to be part of the learning process and without interaction,there is little or no learning,I know that if I as an instructor do not interact with each and every student in class,I may be doing injustice to a group of students,I HAVE TO GRAB EACH AND EVERY STUDENTS ATTENTION,AND HOW WOULD I KNOW if I do not engage each and every student in my class and see that they have a two way communication,not:"my way or the high way".
Hi Lawrence,
I can tell you motivate your students, and you geniunely care about them. Keep up the good work!
Patricia Scales
It goes without saying that without the student, we have no job. So it behooves each instructor to make tht student feel that their presence in the classroom matters, and that we as instructors care about them and their well-being. After all, without their success we do not succeed either. A good instructor is one who feels when their student is having a bad time and empathizes with them, feeling anxious when they are doing poorly, and encouraging them to get them to succeed.
To have class involvement, enhance learning, and help motivate individual students.
By interacting with each and every student, we are keeping the lines of communication open. This can serve to make students more comfortable coming to us with questions and issues, before they become bigger problems.
It is important to have interaction with every student because each person needs to be treated as an individual. Each person has their own learning style and their own perceptions regarding education. If we learn each students learning style, we, as instructors, will be able to maximize their learning potential.
Hi Lawrence,
Students need to know and feel that they really matter. Students are truly the most important people in the building.
Patricia Scales
This definitely has a positive impact on the student. Recognition and rapport shows the student he/she is not just a number or classroom seat assignment, but an individual being recognised as such. The student is more apt to take ownership of the school and class, thus encouraging them to work (for that recognition and encouragement) to a higher standard.
I am in place as a tool for my students to achieve what should be a very important goal to them. I must find out their learning capabilities and styles , expectations, and commitment level to the course. In that, I have to establish a student/instructor relationship in order to gather my research and teach effectively
