Sometimes, students lose sight of their goals and these need to be clarified. This can be helped by discussing "continuing education and its part in adult life" without allowing a too-personal straying into the topic.
It is critical to interact with every student to ensure that no student is left out of class discussions. It's also a great way to get to know the students to find out what their abilities, attitudes, and individual learning needs are, and how you can help address those needs. In addition, interacting with each student shows that you, as the teacher, respect and value their insights. In turn, this will help to create an environment within which the students feel comfortable to share their ideas, insights, and experiences.
Hi Bryan,
Great response! You certainly made some valid points. Interaction really makes a class more exciting. Students tend to really be on their toes when they know that an instructor has a highly interactive class. I like how you go about making a weaker student shine. Your entire outlook on class interaction is very positive in nature. Thank you for believing in all students. I can tell you have a passion for the profession.
Patricia
I feel it is important for a number of reasons. Interaction shows that you are simply aware of their presence and their presence matters. It keeps them more interested. Their interest may be a result of feeling the instructor notices them, they are relied on for input and discussion with the class, or simply out of fear of being called on again, but no matter what, it helps keep them interested and listening. Keeping them involved in the learning process in some way as opposed to simple lecturing from a book, helps reduce the tendency to “zone out†and keeps them more mentally engaged with what is going on in class.
I try to call on each and every student every day. This is for a number of reasons. We often review homework answers together the day it is due. I have found that if I don’t make students responsible for sharing their information in class I find that several students simply won’t do it. Particularly the younger students right out of high school that did the bare minimum to graduate. They got away with it in at that level and they believe the tradition can continue. I don’t want students to necessarily feel that they are being put "on the spot" but want them to just have "something" to share and be ready to go when called upon. I often let them know they can share wrong answers without fear. The point is that I want them to A) TRY & put forth effort and B) have something ready to go when we get back together for class. When I notice a student is weak in an area I won’t call on them as much for that particular “trouble area†but when I find something that they excel in I will gravitate towards them more so they are equally as involved and have a sense of input, and perhaps, pride in helping the class solve a particular problem or reach a goal.
This is a very small part of what I do to keep interaction with students at a maximum but it is one example of a practice that has proven pretty effective so far.
It is important to interact with students because it gives the student the feeling that you care. Acknowledging the student as an individual makes them open up and they are more willing to communicate with the instructor.
Hi Ruby,
Rapport building is important! Students will want to put their best foot forward in all areas whenever they have a relationship with you.
Patricia
Interacting with students in an one-on-one situation is an excellent way to ease tension and start to build good rapport.
Initiating conversation or greeting each student is important because it is a stepping stone to building a rapport with them. If the students feel that their success is a priority of theirs they will repsect you and do their best in the class. Going beyond the simple and social-like interactions and helping them through class tasks will also show students you care about their success and they will reach out when they need clarification or additional help. Overall interacting with students will contribute to their potential and success rate in your class and their future.
With my students I have found that giving them the opportunity to contact me via the internet or before or after class gives students the opportunity to advance their learning and the chance to ask a question about the lesson that is not being done in front of fellow students. Many times students feel if you show concern for them and their studies this is what helps them to advance through their studies and then onto their career.
I try my best to involve all of my students during class, but inevitably, there are students who want to answer every question, and often do so as soon as I ask...
I typically tell these students to give the other students an opportunity to share, and this works well, but in many cases the students who aren't participating are the ones that are happy not participating. In these cases I usually bounce around the class room and call on them.
This can keep the students alert, but at the risk of embarrassing a student who may not know an answer.
But I find that in the long run the pros outweigh the cons, and interacting with everyone helps everyone feel like they're 'in the club'
Each student has to feel important and they are valuable to the dicussions and class.
Hi Dana,
All students should be involved. We keep our students attention whenever interaction is taking place.
Patricia
So that all of the students in class feel that they are involved.
Hi Trevor,
I make it a point to interact with every student on a daily basis. Interaction allows for relationship building.
Patricia
Students are the reason we are there in the first place. Interacting with them should be a normal result of or concern for their success. When we interact with them, they feel included in the class, they listen better and more closely, they are more willing to speak up, to complete assignments, and to contribute in other ways to the success of the class, and they get a boost in self-worth in general because they feel loved.
An instructor needs to have constant interaction with his students in order to ensure that the students are making suitable progress and is gaining proficiency in the class.
I feel that interaction with every student is important to build good rapport with them. Interaction enables instructors to connect with their students and let them know that their instructor cares about their learning the material. Also, the interaction makes students feel more comfortable in the class and may increase their self confidence.
Hi Christopher,
Nicely responded to! Students really do matter! They really are the most important people in the building, and we should make them feel as such.
Patricia
Hi Bob,
Your speil to your students is very inviting. I can see how your students become more open after being told this. I am sure you students know that you care.
Patricia
I feel that being approachable to the students is the best way to have interaction. Besides doing group disscussions in class, I let my students know that after class if they still have questions or concerns that they can come to me me and discuss them. I tell my students that i have an open door policy and if I do not know the answer to their question, that I will find out for them. By doing this, I have notice that my students become more open and are more willing to learn.
