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[S1082]Student And Teacher Relationships

by Adam Waxler, Ada

The truth is though, the two systems are so different it is difficult to draw any concrete conclusions'as my dad would say, "It's like comparing apples and oranges".

However, recently I did get a taste of what I really miss about teaching in New York?small class sizes.

Due to a school trip over 40 of my students were absent from school last week. Normally on days like this I just show a movie and write it up to a lost day of teaching. However, this day I decided to teach the lesson as planned and had the absent students simply make up the missing assignments. This made for some very small classes that day and made teaching an absolute delight. In fact, the students themselves said the same thing. I couldn't help but think back to my days teaching in New York.

I guess I should not make generalizations?there may be many New York schools that have large classes, I just happened to be lucky enough to teach at a school with small classes. Just to give you an example, my last year teaching in New York I had 80 students spread out over 5 classes for an average of 16 students per class. This year, teaching in Florida, I have 132 students spread out over 6 classes for an average of 22 students per class.

Now, of course, 22 students is not really something to complain about, but remember, they are spread out over SIX classes.

When my current school district decided to have all their middle school teachers teach six classes instead of the five we taught the previous year, the middle schools in the county were able to reduce their class sizes?which is good. However, my overall number of students actually increased from 112 the previous year to 132 this school year?not good.

What I think so many people don't understand about the importance of class size is that it is not just the individual class numbers that are important, but it also the overall numbers that are important. An increase in the overall number of students forces the teacher to spend more time on grading essays, tests, homework etc. and less time creating and developing effective lessons.

However, whether we are talking about a teacher's overall number of students or individual class size numbers, the fact of the matter is, large numbers are bad for both the student and the teacher.

You see, one of the most important factors governing student learning is the student-teacher relationship. However, not only is the student-teacher relationship one of the most important factors, but it is also one of the most overlooked factors.

No one should underestimate the impact that the student-teacher relationship has on student learning.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the biggest problem with having large classes is not the added amount of grading and administrative tasks, it is not the added classroom management problems?.the biggest problem with large classes is simply that it deteriorates the student-teacher relationship.

Studying process is not easy. Ask any student and the answer will be pretty much the same. It is not easy to cope with all the tasks and assignments given at the university on time, therefore there is no free time left. The absence of rest results into over exhaustion which prevents you from getting the most out of your studies. Constant depressions or just feeling low is quite familiar to students. It has nothing to do with the teenage period, it's all over and gone, when you are a college student. The cause is the atmosphere around you and the studying process. Let's try to get deeper into this problem.

To study well, you have to be hard working, industrious, curious and longing for knowledge, but there will be no result without established stable good cooperation between students and teachers, tutors or professors. The misunderstanding between the two may result into complete rejection of any matter expressed by the tutor from student's side and complete carelessness about the interest of the auditorium. Even being a postgraduate student, one may experience cold and unconcerned guidance of the advisor while writing a thesis paper. To be successful in the future, one must resolve this problem and try to establish a fine solution. According to psychology the cause of misunderstanding with others has to be searched for in oneself. Certainly, it is not easy to convince yourself that your behavior is not proper, but something has to be done about it. You are ambitious and willing to develop and grow and you are ready to do anything to reach success. Without noticing it, you may provoke your advisor or hurt his feelings. Your genuine dissatisfaction when your thesis proposal is rejected is quite understandable. So why don't you seek the reason not in your thesis but in your manner of behavior in your tutor's presence.

Here are some clues that will help you to define what was done wrong. To communicate easily you have to understand that a person you talk to has his own ambitions and thoughts. Expressing your idea plainly, not considering the evidence given by your advisor will show disrespect to the scientist that is more experienced in the field than you are. Choose words and ways when speaking to your tutor. It is quite obvious that you are intelligent; if there is a disagreement, it's sometimes better to retreat than to get involved into a heated argument. If you show that you have ignored his lectures or never looked through his manual, you will be treated carelessly. Try to make an impression of a diligent, intelligent, interesting person with sense of humor and longing for success. Every scholar is pleased to hear that his work is appreciated, so try to make a compliment on what he's accomplished. But if there is no particular reason for your being disregarded, inform about it. Your advisor's task is to guide you through the process and propose assistance if necessary. There will be no successful cooperation if you don't feel comfortable with each other. Your thesis is the first step towards bright career and you have to do your utmost to complete it duly. Guidance provided is very important, so if there are any misunderstandings, try to improve the situation and continue cooperation on friendly terms.

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Both Adam Waxler & Chris Wells are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Adam Waxler has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Interview Questions and Arthritis Signs. Want to improve your relationship with your students? To gain an arsenal of effective teaching strategies that will improve your relationship with your students, make sure to read "eTeach: A Teacher Resource for Learning the Strategies of Master Teachers". Adam Waxler's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Chris Wells has sinced written about articles on various topics from Teachers, Self Improvement and Motivation and Advertising Guide. . Chris Wells's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.