(Julia Shuck is a student intern at The Xplanation, writing a regular column on education and working behind the scenes in our research department.)
I get to class and, like my peers, sit in my usual spot- humans are creatures of habit. This is my favorite part of class, the five to ten minutes before it actually starts- sometimes. It just depends on the atmosphere that the teacher has created.
My favorite classes are those where the class is open to interaction with peers and the professor, which hinges on if the professor has created a relaxed atmosphere. The best class examples I can think of this semester are Gender and Communication and Major World Religions.
The Gender and Comm class has about 20 students but because the lecture includes a lot of dialogue and we are often asked our opinions, there is a need for an open and relaxed atmosphere. Now, before class we may chat about a test someone is studying for, someone may come in and talk about their bad morning or we might ask for an update, like how’s Terry’s baby doing.
The ability of the professor to set the atmosphere so that we are comfortable chatting before and after class with those we may not know so well helps in the class dialogue because we are more comfortable offering our opinions and ideas. I believe this started when the teacher would come in at the beginning of the year and for the few minutes before class, would talk about her latest internet dating escapades. By breaking down barriers and being open with us, it helped us in turn to be more open with her as well as our peers. I’m not asking that every professor talk about their date nights, but offering some personal information helps students to connect and enjoy the class more.
My Major World Religions class is its own animal. This is a lecture class of about 120 students ranging from freshmen to senior. I love the atmosphere at the different parts of the room. I have come in late to find the back of the room working on their laptops or checking out Facebook, where being relaxed and social (although not neseccarily with those arund you) in the norm, while the students in front pay attention. Normally, I sit in the front of the class, coincidently with an old friend and students in my class discussion lab. The atmosphere in the front is 180 degrees from the back. As we come into class we chat (with each other) about the latest homework assignment or new theory. At the end of class we talk about what we’re going to do for our term paper and help each other. In the middle of class, my old friend and I discuss the lecture and our reactions.
My favorite day was when we had a few minutes before class and I asked about the professor’s baby. He has missed an entire week of class and never mentioned the newborn; it was just a side note from his Teaching Assistant. He asked if we wanted to see pictures and was surprised when we said yes. I believe the loudest “ahhs” came from the middle of the room as we saw pictures of his newborn and then his other tatertots- we had thought this was his first child! While it didn’t seem to occur to him to share the excitement of his newborn, it was what we as student connected with. While I don’t expect full disclosure from any professor, showing us a bit of their personal side or what happens outside of class helps build rapport and credibility, professionally and as an individual.
My advice to professors: don’t waste the few minutes before class starts. If you want students to feel like they can come to your office hours, maintain focus during class or feel like they can speak up, break down the barrier of professor v. student and show us your human-side.
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