Importance of praising students and its benefits

Importance of praising students and its benefits

  

Praising students in the classroom is a powerful tool that can motivate them to perform better academically. When students are acknowledged for their efforts and achievements, it can positively impact their educational outcomes.

Many teachers struggle with how to effectively motivate their students and help them overcome academic challenges. Research shows that a student's mindset about their intelligence can significantly influence their learning. Students who believe they are not intelligent may be more likely to struggle in their studies compared to those who have a growth mindset.

Therefore, providing praise and recognition for students' accomplishments can play a crucial role in their learning journey. It can help instill confidence, boost motivation, and create a positive learning environment.

Four ways to praise students in the classroom

1. Saying phrases in praise of students –

Certainly, one of the most common ways to praise students in the classroom is by offering positive remarks. While this method may seem cliché, it remains one of the most effective ways to honor students.

Simple yet impactful phrases have the power to brighten a student's day and even influence their academic journey. Expressions like "Outstanding Performance," "Your Project Is First Rate!" and "You Have Got What It Takes" are examples of encouraging words that can motivate students to excel.

2. Rewarding students –

Teachers often use the strategy of rewarding students for their effort and hard work. While materialistic rewards like pens or notebooks are common, some schools discourage such prizes. In such cases, teachers can opt for alternative forms of rewards.

For example, teachers can create a chart with students' names on it. Whenever a student does excellent work, the teacher can award them points on the chart. At the end of the semester or academic year, students with the highest scores can receive a class award or a certificate.


3. Recognizing their effort -

Teachers can enhance classroom praise by reading aloud written answers or essays from students, showcasing exemplary work. This not only helps students understand correct solutions but also encourages the student whose work is being highlighted. This simple act demonstrates effective praise in action, showing that the teacher recognizes and values the efforts of each student. Teachers can also mark positive aspects of everyone's work and share them with the class, motivating all students to strive for excellence.

4. Applaud loudly in class –

Many teachers employ the practice of having students who have put significant effort into their tasks stand up, while the entire class applauds them. This approach serves to encourage the student and recognize their hard work, motivating them to continue their efforts. Additionally, it inspires other students to follow their example, fostering a healthy sense of competition among classmates.

How to give effective praise in a classroom?

There are several ways to turn praise into effective praise, and many examples of effective recognition in the classroom exist. Here are some key points to make praises efficient:

1. Making eye contact –

    When giving students praise, making eye contact adds sincerity and warmth to the recognition, showing that it is genuine and deserved.

    2. Move close to the student -

    If appropriate, physically moving closer to the student while praising them can further emphasize the recognition.

    3. Smile –

    A smile can go a long way in making praise more meaningful and encouraging.

    4. Pat on the back –

      A gentle pat on the back can be a reassuring gesture of praise, but be mindful of any school rules regarding physical contact with students.

      5. Offer a handshake –

        Offering a handshake can be a formal yet friendly way to acknowledge a student's effort or achievement.

        6. Give specific praise -

          Instead of general praise, be specific about what the student did well. This personalized approach is more effective in motivating students.

          7. Give praises with sincerity –

            Praise should be genuine and sincere, as students can often tell if it is not. Praising students with enthusiasm and sincerity is important. Such praise is much more efficient than an insincere one.

            8. Praise the character –

              Rather than praising innate abilities, focus on praising the student's effort and character traits, which can help build resilience and a growth mindset.

              9. Praise the act that is praiseworthy –

                Highlight specific actions or behaviors that deserve praise, rather than praising the student as a whole.

                10. Make it subtle –

                  While praise is important, it should not be overly showy or loud, as this can create unhealthy competition among students.

                  11. Do not combine praise and criticism –

                    It is best to separate praise and criticism, as combining them can diminish the impact of both.

                    12. Do not give negative comments –

                    Instead of focusing on what students did wrong, focus on praising their efforts and achievements.

                    By following these tips, teachers can effectively praise students in a way that motivates and encourages them to continue working hard and achieving their goals.

                    Effects of praise on student behavior in the classroom

                    Praise can have an outstanding impact on student behavior in the classroom. Effective praises can improve the overall learning scenario of the classroom. Teachers should focus on praising students for their efforts and working strategies and not their intelligence.

                    1. Changing a student’s belief –

                    Praising can directly affect the students' beliefs about success and failure. Many students believe that their teachers’ feedback is the sole judgment of their ability. This is not always true. With proper guidance and effort, even an average student can learn to succeed.

                    It becomes important that teachers realize the amazing power they hold to change their student's beliefs. If a teacher can help students believe in themselves, they can explore different horizons and reach new heights.

                    2. Helping students cope with failure –

                    Giving positive remarks to students in the classroom often help students overcome setbacks and failures. Praising students leads to increased persistence and self-evaluation.

                    This way of providing intrinsic motivation and resilience when students encounter obstacles prove to be a great way to encourage them to do better in the future.

                    Even for their failure, praising students gives satisfaction to the students that their effort was not in vain. They can always make a comeback from the situation is what the teacher should say to them.

                    3. Encouraging learning –

                    It can be observed that many students consider a particular subject to be their favorite subject, not because they have a great interest in the subject matter. Still, most of the time, it is so because an excellent teacher was being taught by the subject.

                    A good teacher is someone who encourages new ideas and always motivates students in the classroom. This motivation often in the form of praise. This entire experience leads to increased learning desire in students. Thus, ultimately leads to the higher achievement of the students.

                    4. Increased effort from students –

                    When teachers motivate and praise students for their effort, students will give even more for their effort. Even when the task may seem very difficult and demanding, they are likely not to give up.

                    One effect of effective praising is that it helps students push their limits. They do not withdraw the effort and hard work but move forward with more conviction to solve the obstacle. Helping students give increased effort in their work is a by-product of praising students in the classroom.

                    5. Students seek challenges –

                    Those students who are praised in classrooms or in front of their peers often seek new challenges for themselves. They develop a sense of belief that they can do more, which the teachers who praised them instill in them. This allows students to set higher goals and aims for themselves.

                    Praising students has proved to make students more open to new challenges and scenarios. Their performance in such situations is highly commendable.

                    6. Look at failures as opportunities to learn –

                    Students who have been praised efficiently do not fear failure and setbacks. They view these as stepping-stones to success. They look at the failures as opportunities to learn new and more things. To them, that method or way in which they failed becomes one of the ways in which they do not succeed.

                    Failures to them are like new learning experiences; they accept failure and look forward to trying again. They do not give up easily and keep the learning spirit high.

                    A fundamental part of teaching is to efficiently praise students for their effort and hard work. Teachers often praise as a way to provide a supporting and friendly environment for students.

                    Effective praise in the classroom benefits students and improves their academic excellence. Research tells that students who receive more praise are highly likely to be encouraged to work and succeed.


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