THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The development of the teacher-student relationship
The teacher-student relationship is based on a common goal (learning). The teacher-student relationship creates an environment in which, as in any relationship, there are written and unwritten characteristics that will produce a learning dynamic. An instructor who knows how to listen and observe his students and who has enthusiasm for his/her subject will be able to create not only a favorable environment but also motivate his students. When students are motivated, grades become the consequence of work and not the goal of the course. This last point is very important and I think that for many students the first step is to feel comfortable when making mistakes. There needs to be a margin of error where students are not penalized; otherwise, what you have are frightened students who forget they are there to learn and believe that grades are the goal and not the consequence.
to be continued...
The development of the teacher-student relationship
The teacher-student relationship is based on a common goal (learning). The teacher-student relationship creates an environment in which, as in any relationship, there are written and unwritten characteristics that will produce a learning dynamic. An instructor who knows how to listen and observe his students and who has enthusiasm for his/her subject will be able to create not only a favorable environment but also motivate his students. When students are motivated, grades become the consequence of work and not the goal of the course. This last point is very important and I think that for many students the first step is to feel comfortable when making mistakes. There needs to be a margin of error where students are not penalized; otherwise, what you have are frightened students who forget they are there to learn and believe that grades are the goal and not the consequence.
to be continued...