STUDENT-PROFESSOR RELATIONSHIP - FACT OF FICTION?

STUDENT-PROFESSOR RELATIONSHIP - FACT OF FICTION?

Kostadinović, Milan

As I already mentioned, this review explores the topic of teacher and student rapport or interpersonal relations. Rapport is the “ability to maintain harmonious relationships based on affinity for others” (Faranda and Clarke, 2004). Affinity or affinity seeking is defined as “the active social-communicative process by which individuals attempt to get others to like and to feel positive toward them” (Bell and Daly, 1984). The question is: Why is rapport important in the classroom? Allegedly, rapport is the interpersonal side of teaching. Basically, it is what makes the teacher more than just a lecturer. Rapport means knowing your students and their learning styles and using your relationship with them to teach at a more personal level. Teachers who have good rapport with their students are skilled in “ways that encourage involvement, commitment, and interest” (Ramsden, 2003). Ultimately, like children, students need to think that you care before they care what you think.

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2014

3506