Have you ever had a class that you just couldn’t wait to meet? If you have, the professor probably found a way to make the class important enough for you to want to come and participate. This could be for a variety of reasons, but there are many professors who don’t grasp the students’ attention enough to get them to come to class.
Through what I’ve experienced, there have been several professors who are considered excellent and others who have missed the mark. From my perspective, here are 10 things that professors should do to create positive change in their classrooms.
1. Lectures lasting longer than 25 minutes need something new.
Students lose most of their initial attention after 10 minutes, so 25 minutes is usually too long. Professors should do something with breaks like stretching, group discussion, videos, or an interactive element to maintain control and attention in the classroom.
2. Students know when they aren’t a priority, so be intentional.
Professors have many jobs, family dilemmas, leadership responsibilities and overall tasks on their plate that may make their job seem secondary to other obligations. Students can sense this, so be intentional. When you are in the classroom, make it about the students. If you’re not engaged, then the students won’t be, either.
3. The basics aren’t stupid.
There have been classes in which professors assume that students know the fundamental vocabulary and theories already. This is not necessarily true. So, do students a favor and go over the basics again. It really helps build the foundation for everyone else in class to participate and understand the material.
4. It’s not about being their friend; it’s about caring for your students.
I had a professor a while ago get accused of being the students’ friend instead of their professor. This instructor helped my writing ability more than any professor before because she/he cared enough to help me learn and grow. The best professors I have ever had took an interest in me and sometimes we even went out for coffee, lunch or just to chat.
5. Offer ideas to save money on books.
One of my professors asked if I would be willing to sell last semester’s books to her/his current class. This was a great opportunity to make money while another student saves money. By offering suggestions like this, professors let students know that they care not only about their academics but finances as well.
6. Tests and quizzes are only about retaining info, so relax.
How many of you students honestly remember most of the stuff you put down on your last midterm? The truth is, most students don’t remember the information because tests and quizzes are mainly about retaining data. So, relax and allow students to show their knowledge in other ways.
7. Don’t act like you know it all.
Nothing feels worse to a student than a professor who feels superior to them. It doesn’t make you look good, and with student-teacher roles, we are already in a position to learn. Students will just check out and want to leave your class if the professor demeans the student or acts entitled.
8. Be a little vulnerable.
The best professor I ever had spent 15 minutes of class just allowing students to ask him/her anything they wanted. The person did this so all of us would see each other equally as human beings. Genius! Professors should take note of this.
9. Honesty is great when it is portrayed in a loving way.
Honesty about how someone is doing in class allows the person to move forward in knowledge and allows growth. If you sugarcoat how a student is performing in class in order to avoid conflict, then this only leads the student down a path of delusion. So, be honest.
10. It’s not the grade that matters, but the growth.
To me, this tip is the most important. Grades are absolutely important, but if I spent hours on a project that was on a difficult subject and got a C, and the person next to me did an easy project and got an A, then what is the point? Growing in knowledge is why we are all in school. It’s not supposed to be about the grade, but sadly that is what is important for graduate schools. Help us students value learning again, and stop focusing so much on getting a good grade.