Connect with your students inside and outside the classroom

Teaching goes beyond just sharing knowledge; it’s about forming genuine connections with students. Each student brings their own challenges, fears and insecurities, especially when they’re moving from school to university. As educators, it’s vital to reflect on our own experiences and work to create a welcoming atmosphere for every learner. Here, I’ll provide practical strategies for fostering empathy in teaching – both within the classroom and beyond it, with the help of student representation to bridge communication gaps.

The importance of empathy in education

Empathy allows educators to connect deeply with students, cultivating an environment of trust. Many students, particularly in their first year, experience anxiety about fitting in and forming meaningful connections. By recalling our own struggles, we can approach our students with greater compassion.

Creating a safe space

To foster an empathetic learning environment, create a space where students feel safe to express themselves. Here’s how:

• Encourage open dialogue: At the start of each semester, I often ask my students, “Who is the most important person in this classroom?” This question usually prompts confusion because many assume I hold that title. Instead, I make the point that they themselves are the most important individuals in the room. My role is to facilitate their learning, which works best when they feel safe to share their thoughts. Setting ground rules helps promote open dialogue and empowers active engagement.
• Active listening: Students face challenges beyond academia, including emotional and social issues. Addressing these broader concerns is vital for a holistic educational experience. While as educators we may not have the solution to every problem, showing genuine care through active listening can greatly boost students’ confidence and encourage participation.
• Be approachable: We all have busy schedules, but be as accessible to your students as possible. Engaging in informal conversations and being responsive to their needs fosters trust. Our division often organises informal gatherings, providing opportunities for students to connect with faculty, helping to build personal connections that enhance openness.

Supporting both majority and minority students

Academic pressures are a significant concern for many students, and educators play a crucial role in helping them navigate these challenges. Careful listening and small adjustments can improve their well-being. For instance, during mid-term exam periods, heightened stress from demanding courses and overlapping schedules can overwhelm students. Help alleviate the pressure by approaching these times with empathy, such as discussing potential adjustments in course schedules.

• Use everyday objects to educate student teachers
• Show students you care
• Using literature to increase students’ empathy

While most students face academic challenges, some may also struggle with personal issues. Although we may not be trained counsellors, we can still offer patience and understanding. Connecting students with resources such as the wellness and counselling unit enhances their sense of care. Follow up on referred cases to help understand student development and tailor your support to their needs.

Building connections with students

To provide the necessary support and care to our students, we must understand them. In addition to informal gatherings, our division requires faculty to hold regular meetings with their students. These meetings are valuable for tracking students’ positive and negative experiences.

However, some students may hesitate to open up to faculty because of a fear of judgement or the perception that faculty are too busy. To address this, our academic programmes have established student class representative groups, nominated by staff based on their interactions. These groups can facilitate communication between students and faculty because students often feel more comfortable sharing concerns with peers. This approach enhances our ability to respond to students’ needs. Here’s how we can engage with the class reps effectively:

• Empower class representatives: Instead of merely assigning tasks, adopt a mentorship approach. Encourage them to share insights about student needs and motivate them to organise activities that strengthen class bonds. Recently, class representatives organised an interactive reptile exhibition, allowing participants to touch and feel the reptiles, providing a fun way for students to connect with their classmates and attending faculty.
• Facilitate peer communication: Class representatives can foster discussions among students both online and offline, creating a comfortable environment for voicing concerns. We have set up a class page managed by the reps for discussion threads and experience-sharing. Since they often share courses with peers, they have many opportunities to mingle and discuss topics of interest.
• Regular check-ins: Establish a WhatsApp group and schedule regular meetings with class representatives to discuss ongoing issues and gather feedback. This practice promotes a collaborative atmosphere and enables early detection of any students who may be struggling with college life, facilitating timely support.

Empathy is a powerful tool to enhance the student learning experience. By reflecting on our own experiences and actively engaging with learners, we can create a nurturing environment. Implementing strategies such as fostering open communication and encouraging peer interaction can greatly improve education. As educators, let’s commit to being empathetic and creating spaces where all students can thrive.

Philip Y. Lam is assistant professor of science education at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

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