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Classroom Management Chatboard

How important is it that students LIKE your class?

by Jeff

Mar 3, 2011

I think my initial answer would usually be: not very important at all.

However, I have been playing around with this question for a little while now. If the energy in the classroom is high, and students are excited about what they are learning because it is: 1) fun, 2) interesting, 3) applicable to their own life in some way, 4) challenging, 5) thought- provoking, or any other reason, then they may likely say that they "like" the class. (Notice that I don't include 'easy' as a valid reason). If they like the class, then chances are that they will be motivated to learn more and do better in the class, which is what we all want, I would think. So, do we say that we want all students to like our class?

I submit this question because I have noticed so many teachers say that they don't give a darn whether or not their students like their class or not. Of course we don't plan our curriculum around the thoughts and emotions of the students (that would be a nightmare!), but...See More

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college is different To Donna I would say that you are in c ollege because you want to be ythere, whreeas many kids are in high school because they have no choice and some deeply resent it. It is important to make your class substantive,engaging, and relevant, and to project htat you like the kids and truly want to be there. If you don't do those things, some kids will...See MoreTo Donna I would say that you are in c ollege because you want to be ythere, whreeas many kids are in high school because they have no choice and some deeply resent it. It is important to make your class substantive,engaging, and relevant, and to project htat you like the kids and truly want to be there. If you don't do those things, some kids will just shut down, or worse, disrupt the class so that no one can learn anything.

On 3/04/11, Donna Kosloff wrote: > I recall when I was in college students would pick their > classes based on the Professor who was teaching it, is his > class easy, would it be an easy A. I took an American History > class with a Professor who was very strict and did not pull any > punches. Yes, many students did not want to take his class but > because it was a core subject it could not be avoided. I > learned the most from that teacher, especially on how to be a > good teacher. So, in short, it does not matter if the student > loves your class, loves you or not. What matters is that they > learn. > > Donna K. > > > On 3/03/11, Jeff wrote: >> I think my initial answer would usually be: not very >> important at all. >> >> However, I have been playing around with this question for >> a little while now. If the energy in the classroom is >> high, and students are excited about what they are learning >> because it is: 1) fun, 2) interesting, 3) applicable to >> their own life in some way, 4) challenging, 5) thought- >> provoking, or any other reason, then they may likely say >> that they "like" the class. (Notice that I don't >> include 'easy' as a valid reason). If they like the class, >> then chances are that they will be motivated to learn more >> and do better in the class, which is what we all want, I >> would think. So, do we say that we want all students to >> like our class? >> >> I submit this question because I have noticed so many >> teachers say that they don't give a darn whether or not >> their students like their class or not. Of course we don't >> plan our curriculum around the thoughts and emotions of the >> students (that would be a nightmare!), but how much should >> our concern over whether students "like" our class or not >> play into how we plan our lessons? >> >> I am anxious to see your responses. Thank you in advance!!!

Mar 9, 2011

History Teacher On 3/04/11, Donna Kosloff wrote:

Going with this thread, I posed that question. Someone says that what matters most is that students learn. Who could argue with that?

But that begs the question of what is it in our classes that fosters learning? Does having students 'like' our class foster their learning of the material, skills ...See MoreOn 3/04/11, Donna Kosloff wrote:

Going with this thread, I posed that question. Someone says that what matters most is that students learn. Who could argue with that?

But that begs the question of what is it in our classes that fosters learning? Does having students 'like' our class foster their learning of the material, skills or concepts?

I would disagree with the idea that the only reason students 'like' a class is because it's easy. Indeed, if that were true there's no hope for humanity. Everyone appreciates a breather but in my many years of teaching I've seen many students 'like' even their 'hard' classes even while they might have hated doing the work.

But the question remains - what is it in our classes that fosters learning and does having students 'like' our class foster their learning of the material, skills or concepts?

> I recall when I was in college students would pick their > classes based on the Professor who was teaching it, is his > class easy, would it be an easy A. I took an American History > class with a Professor who was very strict and did not pull any > punches. Yes, many students did not want to take his class but > because it was a core subject it could not be avoided. I > learned the most from that teacher, especially on how to be a > good teacher. So, in short, it does not matter if the student > loves your class, loves you or not. What matters is that they > learn. > > Donna K. > > > On 3/03/11, Jeff wrote: >> I think my initial answer would usually be: not very >> important at all. >> >> However, I have been playing around with this question for >> a little while now. If the energy in the classroom is >> high, and students are excited about what they are learning >> because it is: 1) fun, 2) interesting, 3) applicable to >> their own life in some way, 4) challenging, 5) thought- >> provoking, or any other reason, then they may likely say >> that they "like" the class. (Notice that I don't >> include 'easy' as a valid reason). If they like the class, >> then chances are that they will be motivated to learn more >> and do better in the class, which is what we all want, I >> would think. So, do we say that we want all students to >> like our class? >> >> I submit this question because I have noticed so many >> teachers say that they don't give a darn whether or not >> their students like their class or not. Of course we don't >> plan our curriculum around the thoughts and emotions of the >> students (that would be a nightmare!), but how much should >> our concern over whether students "like" our class or not >> play into how we plan our lessons? >> >> I am anxious to see your responses. Thank you in advance!!!

Mar 11, 2011

Teri On 3/11/11, History Teacher wrote: > On 3/04/11, Donna Kosloff wrote: > > Going with this thread, I posed that question. Someone says that > what matters most is that students learn. Who could argue with > that? > > But that begs the question of what is it in our classes that > fosters learning? Does having students 'like' o...See MoreOn 3/11/11, History Teacher wrote: > On 3/04/11, Donna Kosloff wrote: > > Going with this thread, I posed that question. Someone says that > what matters most is that students learn. Who could argue with > that? > > But that begs the question of what is it in our classes that > fosters learning? Does having students 'like' our class foster > their learning of the material, skills or concepts? > > I would disagree with the idea that the only reason > students 'like' a class is because it's easy. Indeed, if that > were true there's no hope for humanity. Everyone appreciates a > breather but in my many years of teaching I've seen many > students 'like' even their 'hard' classes even while they might > have hated doing the work. > > But the question remains - what is it in our classes that > fosters learning and does having students 'like' our class > foster their learning of the material, skills or concepts? > > My personal opinion...I believe it is the relationships fostered between the teacher and his/her students that fosters learning. If your students truly know that you care about them, they will do anything for you, including apply themselves and learn.

They might not like the class or the material you cover. They don't need you to be your friend. They just need to know you care.

> >> I recall when I was in college students would pick their >> classes based on the Professor who was teaching it, is his >> class easy, would it be an easy A. I took an American History >> class with a Professor who was very strict and did not pull any >> punches. Yes, many students did not want to take his class but >> because it was a core subject it could not be avoided. I >> learned the most from that teacher, especially on how to be a >> good teacher. So, in short, it does not matter if the student >> loves your class, loves you or not. What matters is that they >> learn. >> >> Donna K. >> >> >> On 3/03/11, Jeff wrote: >>> I think my initial answer would usually be: not very >>> important at all. >>> >>> However, I have been playing around with this question for >>> a little while now. If the energy in the classroom is >>> high, and students are excited about what they are learning >>> because it is: 1) fun, 2) interesting, 3) applicable to >>> their own life in some way, 4) challenging, 5) thought- >>> provoking, or any other reason, then they may likely say >>> that they "like" the class. (Notice that I don't >>> include 'easy' as a valid reason). If they like the class, >>> then chances are that they will be motivated to learn more >>> and do better in the class, which is what we all want, I >>> would think. So, do we say that we want all students to >>> like our class? >>> >>> I submit this question because I have noticed so many >>> teachers say that they don't give a darn whether or not >>> their students like their class or not. Of course we don't >>> plan our curriculum around the thoughts and emotions of the >>> students (that would be a nightmare!), but how much should >>> our concern over whether students "like" our class or not >>> play into how we plan our lessons? >>> >>> I am anxious to see your responses. Thank you in advance!!!

Mar 11, 2011

Cindy Jeff,

I thought that your post was interesting because in my school the administration places a heavy value on how much students say they like a given class and / or teacher and I’ve been wondering lately if the correlation they find between liking a class and achievement are accurate. In my own teaching experience, students sometimes a...See More

Jul 30, 2011

Brian B I have to say that a student liking my class is important. I feel like it is especially important if you teach a course that has drier material because you have to keep the students motivated some way. Some classes and subjects lend themselves to students interest just because of the nature of the material. However, not all courses are going to be ...See More

Aug 2, 2011

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