I think it is important to learn about your students, their backgrounds and desires. This way you can provide examples of successful individuals who they could possibly identify with as someone from a similar circumstance. An example of success
I try to do multiple things to help with the development of my students' EQ. In my classes, I try to model the qualities students can benefit and learn from.
An easy one is being dependable and accessible to my students. If they have questions, I try to include plenty of availability in my schedule for any of their concerns. A fun one for dependability is when I mention to my students an errand or two that I need to do for the family, showing dependability in that aspect of my life. I feel that this is very helpful in discretely providing an good example of dependability to develop their EQ.
Self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation are fun EQ qualities that I like to help develop in my students. Once in awhile, I like to show a video clip or two of well-known, hardworking people in popular culture. I've noticed that some of my younger students are very fond of and react strongly to motivational videos of Michael Jordan. Other students are fond of Steve Jobs videos and some others. These videos give a bit of a boost for my students and show actual stories of people who endured hardships, fought through those hardships, and came out successful, all of which are actions I want my students to believe they are capable of.
Grace,
What you describe here is sometimes referenced as position onesself as a "similar other" who has been where they are and knows how to get where they want to be. This is key to building rapport as long as one does not accidently come off as thinking "it's all about me."
Jeffrey Schillinger
I tell them my experieces and setbacks in life. I also tell them that mistakes are okay as long we learn from them. I also encourage them that we should see problems as challenges that will always have solutions and make you as a better person.
Susan,
Positioning oneself as a "similar other" can help a teacher to develop rapport.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Like Richard, I share my own success story. Not only so they see that I was able to overcome the many challenges set before me, but I think it helps the students see me more as a person much like themselves.
Ask them what they think/feel about a particular situation. I also try to encourage students to consider the same situation from another persepective.
Jennifer,
The stars we used to get on our papers in first grade,before we learned to read the teacher's comments, were really effective. The approach still is.
Jeffrey Schillinger
When I am checking their work I compliment them immediately, then I reinforce how it was done to ensure they know they are on the right track.
Debbie,
Appropriate humor in a powerful teaching tool.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I try to bring humor into the subjects I teach, or share personal experiences of what happens with my patients and how it related to the class or material.
Paula,
Graduated students are a valuable resource, especially the ones who had to fight the hardest to get through the program.
Jeffrey Schillinger
We always have graduate students come to talk to our present students. They need to know they are not alone with the personal struggles they may be facing. They need to see that other students went through the same thing and succeeded.
Kelly,
Your classes sound like the type of learning environment I would want my own children to be part of. Thanks!
Jeffrey Schillinger
I start with dependability - I'm in the classroom early, prepared and ready to go. I am honest with my students - especially when I'm not sure about an answer to a question. We work together to find the solution and we all win. They love it when they feel as though they've taught me something.
I encourage professionalism in our communication - speaking to them as a colleague when appropriate and expecting the same. We set goals and it's amazing how, when the students share their goals with one another, there is collaboration in both students helping eachother to succeed.
Yes! Bringing succesful former students in for Q & A session is a great way to introduce new excitement and testament to working towards your goal.
Tell stories about struggles and overcoming barriers to success. Have students think/pair/share about emotional, ethical, or other "gray" area topics.
I agree that recognizing and understanding my own feelings is very important. When I don't manage my own emotions, I am not effective in being ready to listen to my students when they have problems.
In our persistence to help teach soft skills, I have found that putting the student in the "shoes" of the employer goes a long way. Rather than stressing the need for politeness, for example, we ask the student how they would react if they were the one doing the hiring. If we can get the student to enter role reversal, we have a much better chance of teaching job etiquette without the pushback.
In Nursing Leadership and Management, we incorporate learning activity scenarios that explore the importance of developing EQ. The importance of knowing yourself well, the ability to sense the feelings of others, the ability to be a good listener, the ability to manage emotions, the ability to accept criticism and use it as a way to improve performance, and the ability to motivate self and others. We can relate this to actual situations we encounter in the clinical setting.
