How Can Teachers Better Communicate and Get Feedback from Students?

by CADimensions |

3DEXPERIENCE

How can teachers know if they are communicating properly and inspiring their students to learn?

Ask any teacher or student, and they will likely have an opinion about communication in the classroom. Many view it as a challenge that prevails in both virtual and face-to-face learning environments.

From a student’s perspective, communication barriers exist due to traditional education standards, stereotypes, and misconceptions about the teacher-student relationship.

This is especially true for young students who may lack the confidence or know-how to speak up and approach their teacher. It feels daunting—like you are about to bite the hand that feeds and either be punished or embarrassed in front of your peers.

Fortunately, teachers can work to ease that challenge and open communication doors for their students. By being aware of how students feel—and being aware of the myriad of stereotypes and misconceptions— educators can build a safe learning environment where students can thrive.

Make Check-Ins a Priority

How often do you check in with your students? Companies like Verso are trying to bridge the gap between teacher and student, offering a way to communicate that prioritizes check-ins. A check-in may look like sitting down with a student and documenting their learning progress, emotional response, learning strategies, and more. Then, go over your findings with the student.

Set an Open Door Policy

How a student feels when they walk into your classroom speaks volumes. One of the best ways teachers can better communicate and get feedback from students is by creating a safe environment. Set an open-door policy with your students, encouraging them to come to you at any point with concerns or questions. Allow your pupils to pop in and talk about anything, whether it is about the class material or real-life situations. This shows genuine support and care.

Encourage 1:1 Team Discussions

Most students do not like teamwork. There is an uncomfortable aspect about grouping with students you may not know and then trying to work together without stepping on toes. However, doing more team activities will lessen the discomfort over time, all the while moving the classroom focus toward communicating and collaborating.

Give Positive Feedback

Too often, teachers forget to give positive feedback to their students. Instead, many teachers only focus on the negative, resulting in a vague understanding of their classroom performance. This can lead to a significant decline in morale and demoralize students. You are encouraging your student to keep going rather than give up to defeat by giving positive feedback.

A Solution to Virtual Education for Engineers

Engineering students need to grab every advantage and opportunity in today’s competitive job market. We give students a way to gain real-world experience in a virtual environment, learning engineering practices that industry leaders use today.

With our 3DExperience Software, you can provide a robust platform for your engineering students to learn CAD, CAM, CAE, and simulation. This platform has easy avenues to communicate between teachers and students to allow for check-ins, feedback and encourage learning throughout the school year.

In affiliation with SOLIDWORKS, we offer a variety of certifications both for SOLIDWORKS and 3DExperience. Any of our formative, virtual educational programs could help students learn CAD software better, gain a sense of confidence in their skills, and boost their resumes.