We have all made mistakes and it is a part of learning. Sharing our own stories of mistakes is a good way to connect with them and let them know that it is part of the process. This can remove a lot of uneccessary stress from the classroom.
I do my best to show my students that I am here to help them, not to "bust their chops". I explain to them that it is a learning environment, and that it is ok to make mistakes, that it is part of the process. I do my best to reinforce that idea all thru the course, especially in lab. The studernts seem to do much better, and make fewer mistakes, simply by taking away the feeling that they must be perfect the first time, everytime. I also share some "not so perfect" experiences I had when I was a student or in the field, to give them a chance to relate to me as something other than a super-human taskmaster.
Engaging your students and making them feel that their instructor really cares about their education makes for a enjoyable learning atmosphere.
