Connecting with students
Best way to interact
I agree it is hard to keep the instructor and friend balance. Especially when there are adult students and some of them being older then me.
If you end up making friends with one then your reputation can be in jeopardy. The other students will then will question if you are grading fairly. I teach part time and I have a two hour break between my morning and afternoon class. I would let the students who wish to hang out in the classroom and would take the opportunity to talk to them then and that is if they want to. It is also the time that I provide if they need help with there assignments or they wish to work on other things to further there learning. Like using some of the lab equipment.
This is a tough balance but absolutely can be achieved. I always treat students how I would want to be treated and rely on policy and fairness to make decisions.
What methods do you use to make genuine connections with your students, William?
Students will want to see the passion their instructor has for them. As some have mentioned in the other treads on this topic, it can be a fine line between educator and friend. If you demonstrate sincere caring for their success not just in the classroom but in tune to their how they manage the stresses of juggling school and work they will respond in kind – but students are savvy and will see right through an act, the caring has to be genuine.
Do you find that all students are accessible during their breaks? Do you find that some consider that their personal time and don't want to talk about what's happening in the classroom? If so, how do you handle that situation?
I have found that interacting with students over periods of brake is sometimes easier than while in the lab. I believe this is because they are less intimidated when not in front of there piers.
For some students that's sacred time. Do you ever get push back not?
Ryan, do you verbalize this relationship to your students? Do they understand what you mean?
I like to interact with my students on break. I notice they are easier to connect with outside the classroom.
That's the way I look at it. I think its important to connect but it can be very easy to cross the boundaries.
Your statement is correct, it is also amazing how the attitude of one student or a class of students can set the mood of the class therefore the instructor. Particularly if you the instructor are not on your best game. I guess students can be considered the instructors children, as a mother would teach her children, the instructor is teaching the students. Also, as your children can set the mood for certain situations, so can the students. I guess it is how we the teacher handle the situation as to the turn out.
Michael, would it be useful to use the analogy of a worker's relationship with a supervisor?
Nathan, what has worked best for you in connecting with your students? What creates the biggest challenge for you?
Making connections with students is sometimes challenging because you must hover in that grey area between instructor and friend, sometimes its hard to keep that ratio in balance.
Connecting with students is vital to achieve acceptable completion rates. It can be however, quite a challenge to do.
