Interacting with students
Why is it important to have interaction with every student?
It shows that you are invested in every student equally and do not show favorites. Everyone has the same opportunity and chance to succed.
Hi Crissia,
We should be student-centered because it really is all about the student. We are impacting lives for the better.
Patricia Scales
I very much agree. In my experience most students are hesitant to ask for help, which is why I think it's so important to try to be both involved and observant as a teacher. It's interesting, I was actually just discussing something very similar over in the ED105 forums regarding being a student-centered instructor. I like that description - "student-centered" - I feel it accurately reflects where our focus really is as educators and it ties back to this topic as well and the importance of interacting with those students.
It shows you are intereested in them on a professional & personal level. It gets them involved in the class, both as a active participant and as a active learner.
Hi Vicki,
Most students like it when we interact with them. Students feel important whenever there is a good professional relationship between the student and the teacher.
Patricia
It is important to have interaction with every student so you can learn what their goals are and how you might help them to acheive them. Also that the students are clear in their understanding of the expectations for projects and assignments for the class This insight can also help to focus on learning barriers and in keeping the student on task. I think the one on one approach helps students to take responsibility in the learning process as well.
Hi Crissia,
Some students will not come to you for help. Sometimes the instructor has to make the move so that the student will open up more and be more willing to ask for help. Shy students are a work in progress. We should not ever wait for any student to come to us if we know that they are struggling.
Patricia
I have learned that students do not like to be talked down to. Therefore, I will place myself in the middle of the classroom in a chair & speak with them instead of to them creating a less formal enviroment making it easier for them to voice there answers right or wrong as well as their opinions.
Hi Unidad (Ning),
Students love knowing that we geniunely care about them. Students will work harder to please you if they feel you care about them, thus resulting in better grades.
Patricia
Some students seek out interaction and some are much more shy or reticent, but it is important to interact with every student because it’s both an encouragement to participate and succeed and a discouragement to inattention and disruptive class time behavior. Interaction lets the student know that you are aware of them and that you are interested in their involvement in the class. Students are more likely to respond and put in effort if they feel it will be noticed. It’s also vital sometimes in assisting the quiet students who are doing poorly but don’t ask for help. Often they just don’t understand some base principle that it’s easy enough to help them through, but you need to take the step to approach and interact with them because they won’t come to you by themselves.
It is an indirect means of evaluating student learning. It can also serve as a positive reinforcement to student.( Knowing that there are others, including the instructor, who show interest/support in the student's progress, says a lot)
Hi Jodi,
When you have a rapport with students, they look at you as someone they do not want to disappoint. They will work extremely hard so that they can make you very proud.
Patricia
Hi Timothy,
I promote positive teacher/student interacation with all of my students. If you have a rapport with your students, it makes the learning process that much better for the student most importantly, and the instructor.
Patricia
Positive teacher/student interaction is a critical success factor to achieve learning progress.
Such interaction should establish respect between the instructor and each student, be focused on current and overall learning objectives, and result in increased eagerness to learn for all involved. Enlightened classroom interactions fuel the growth of both the teacher and the students.
In fact, it is probably true that unless teachers and students grow together in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding in the field at hand, true education may not transpire.
I find it very important to stay in close contact with my students. I gain trust by letting them know they can contact me anytime... during or after classes. I find with open lines of communication the students want to please me and make me proud.
First, I believe that by interacting with students it helps me to see how my teaching style is reaching everyone. And second, it allows the students to have a chance to express themselves in a manner they might not have in front of everyone. It gives them the chance to personalize a situation, thought, or share a personal moment they don't want publicized.
Interaction with every student is important because each and every student should feel equal. Equality is what it is all about if respect is the goal. This is not always easy because there are definitely unlikable students. I make these students my challenge. I make an effort to speak to these students and have something special to say to each one of them. It is amazing how they come around with just a little bit of attention.
Students want to know that the instructor know who they are.
I think that small talk is important and also allowing students to contact you with questins or observations.
