Asking students to introduce them selfs,including a little back ground. It almost appears to like Alex chatting with the contestants. Asking them why they choose this industry and school. They feel very relaxed and egar to start.
Letting the students know that we are hear for them makes them feel comfortable.
It is partial days designed to address the expectations of the students and explain policies and procedures.
Hello,
Mr. Martenez is correct, to make them feel at comfortable is important!
Charles
Susan,
I currently make them feel at home by giving them a sence of belonging or committment to the end product - their education!
I also make sure that I will make sure they get value out of learning and there money's worth. Also make sure they can come to me for any help...ie. not to fear asking for help!
Charles
I got it from a friend who has been in a wheel chair since year old. We also talk about Sir Edmund Hilery's unsuccessful attempt to climb Mt Everest and realizing :"the Mountain is as big as it ever gonna get, but I am still growing". Have a good one, Zee Zee.
calm student fears by making them feel comfortable in the classroom environment.
Zbigniew--
I LOVE the False Evidence Appearing Real....
Susan
Ron--
This sounds like a wonderful support format for your online students.
Regarding your presentation, is this done synchronously or do you have a format that allows students to do this at their own pace and you verify they have done so?
Susan
Using myself as an example of former student and histories of those who graduated with me and are still in the industry. Also, I talk about fear as False Evidance Appearing Real.
First, let me say that our school only functions in an online environment. Even our orientation is taken online, so the students are presented with guidance through our online portal.
Hopefully, after the presentation, the online student will be familiar with the various parts of the online portal, and they know how, when, & where to post their assignments.
Students are also guided to the Virtual Commons part of the online portal where they can view & join online clubs, and setup their online profiles to share with other students.
They are provided with on overview of the online Library & Learning Resources available to them, as well as links, phone numbers, and email addresses for various types of support throughout many departments (FA, VA, Career Center, etc..).
In addition to the online orientation, the faculty members typically post a syllabus, a personal bio, instructor files related to the course & assignments, course material, e-book if available, assignment listing with deliverables, instructor announcements (include Welcome Note, Course Expecatations, APA resources, Honesty Policy, Web Site Resources for the Class, Live Chat & Office Hours, and Assignment Overview for Week 1).
Most instructors also create a Cyber Cafe thread on the Main Class Discussion Board so students can share background information & chat among themselves about non course related topics.
William--
Excellent point about students knowing that their success if important to you. That often gets missed. It is always best to draw strong correlations between how you grade and your expectations with what will be expected of them in the work place.
Susan
it is important that the student knows that his success is as important to me as it is to him.when students are tardy or break the rules, that when i deduct points from their grade that they have paid to have the rules inforced. i use th anology that when i go to the dentist for dental work that there may be some dicomfort.but i dont get mad at the dentist its my fault i did not take of my teeth and now i must pay. its the same when the break the rules
Edward--
This sounds great! Is it 3 full days or partials? What other topics do you cover?
Susan
We utilize a 3 day program called Jump Start that all new students go through. This program is designed just for this purpose, allowing students to discuss there doubts and fears, giving us the information we need to help them overcome there issues and be successful.
Each group dynamic brings a different set of fears. Although there are commonalities each group is not the same. I begin by asking questions of the group. Direct questions about what may make a student nervous or anxious may only serve to worsen the fear. By asking rhetorical questions and providing simple direct answers to those questions often encourages students to address their fears either to you one on one or in the group with other students. By addressing the most common fears early on the group as a whole becomes more at ease and makes for a less stressful learning environment.
Karl--
That's excellent. We often forget how demoralizing it can be to struggle with a concept. It is great that you recognize that.
Susan
I always try to talk with those students that are having trouble in my class to restore their confidence in themselves. I offer tutoring and also have them engage in a number of hands-on activities.
Edward--
I would agree, that the general fears of being able to succeed overall are, hopefully, gone by the time you have them in class. However, students tend to 'fear' each new session to some extent about their ability to succeed in that particular class.
Susan
Robert--
Excellent! Sounds like you really make them feel and home and give them the confidence they need to succeed.
Susan
