I absolutely agree with you. I have learned a long time ago the importance of words and how we, as teachers, can affect our students. I try to reach out to each student in positive ways and include them in all activities and discussions. For example, when I call on a quiet student to read a caption, I compliment them on their reading skills.
It is amazing what the mind can do I am always telling my students about the self fulfilling prophesy and how the power of thinking positive is so strong. That is how I try to encourage my students, I tell them that they are all and can be successful they need to start believing in their ability because I already know that they can.
Hi Karen!
Good for you! I was just reading something this week about things that help prevent strokes and one of them was the power of positive thinking and how it reduces stress therfore helping to reduce the chances of stroke.
Positive, introspective, self-awareness is soooo important and good for you in reminding your students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
I agree. Positive feedback is important. Students need to know that we believe in them and their ability to do great things. If we start with a negative attitude we are only holding the student back from achieving greatness.
This reminds me of a project I do in early in my computer patternmaking class. They work with a partner and take the knowledge we have been working on to make a pattern for a blouse from the picture I give them. This allows them to see how another person will use the knowledge and it gives them a chance to see how much they have learned. Gives them a chance to show to their partner and well as to themself
Ellen
Henry Ford once said something to the effect of: If you think you can do something, or you think you can't, you're right either way. I see it all the time- the students with the better attitudes due better than the "I cants". Its the whole self- fulfilling prophesy, it really does happen.
Hi Andrew!
Not only are instructors teachers of knowledge but play a big part in student self esteem/self image building. Hopefully, we can help students to see and appreciate their own self worth.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Simply being aware that we have a tendency as human beings to judge people without knowing them should help remind us , as teachers, how wrong this is.
I agree, the first few weeks of class I try to get to know my students. Asking about their weekend or simply what they thought of their homework. After a week or two they are more comfortable with me, they will stay after and ask questions, and most will come early to finish homework they did not understand. I also encourage them to exchange home telephone numbers. The first day of class I will play a game that makes them get up and ask questions about the other person, related to a class topic. I think that telling the class that I am a real person with a family, and work just like them. This makes me more relatable as a person, not as an instructor. I will always tell my students they can succeed and that I am not a better person then them, just someone with a little more experience! I believe all people can learn, some just need a strong push, and others just need a little smile!
I am with you. Thank goodness it was accounting and not brain surgery.
The thread describes a slippery slope for educators. Seems like we're not talking about the Pygmalion Effect any longer but rather fundamental pass/fail crieteria...apparently not even variation in A,B, or C. This decision (pass or fail) based on a period of performance reflects on the school as well as the indivudal. Note too, that period of performance was completed using the P. Effect approach. Now we're extending the P. Effect halo from a class to a career.
Others will make (hiring) decisions based on expectations of school standards. Passing, predicated on a promise not to handle accounting records...from a medical administrator? The Pygmalion Effect is not a solution here. This scenario also assumes all other creiteria were completed...to standard and without the same criteria applied. In the context of education, it is important to recognize the limits of the Pygmalion Effect...not a law or principle, just a useful and reasonable approach with some strong evidence.
The solution in this scenario is a reassement of career choice informed by school standards. If accounting is not required, it isn't a problem. If it is, the P Effect can only go so far.
It is for this reason that I never ask other instructors about a student. often you end up being prejudiced by the information. It is better to simply assume the students will all do well and treat them as such.
Hi Wendy!
I agree to some extent! I don't think we want to know so much about our students that we are prejudiced by their learning challenges. But maybe learn more about their abilities. I am forever an optimitist and feel that every student is a seed that should be feed and watered and given plenty of sunlight!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Does that alienate students,by kind of intimidating the students with you work ethic? I have students that are not a alpha type personality and would crumble as soon as that was said in class.
Have you had any problems with that?
Hi Jeremy!
I'm not sure it's as much as work ethic as it is about how we reenforce the positive, how we help people see the good in themselves. Of course, work ethic is a demonstration of the things that have been reenforced and we hope it is positive.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree. If you don't underestimate someone then you give them the opportunity to suceed!
The Pygmalion effect reminds me of a class I once had. It's a symptom of apathy. If you don't care much about the subject or your students, then you become complacent and just assume that the good students will excel and the struggling students will do poorly. Now it's a much different story because I encourage everyone. It reinforces the strong students, but it can also motivate the ones that need more attention. It's truly rewarding to encourage and help a challenging students, and have them earn a good grades in the class.
I try not to underestimate my students. We are human. I try to give them the confidence that they can excel in my course through their work.
