Importance of one-to-one interaction in education

- A guest post by Ms Sujata Mandal

Interaction can be an excellent strategy for enhancing student motivation, fostering intellectual agility, and encouraging democratic habits. They create opportunities for students to practice and sharpen a number of skills, including the ability to articulate and defend positions, consider different points of view, and enlist and evaluate evidence.

School is a place where students learn about communication and often develop communication strategies that they will use for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is important that students learn to communicate effectively. Parents, teachers and administrators should serve as role models and demonstrate effective communication strategies. 

Communication between Teachers and Students

Teachers and students need to be able to have open communication in the classroom. Communication leads to respect, allowing teachers to do their jobs in the most efficient way possible. Students who feel like they can communicate with their teachers are also more likely to ask questions and ask for the help they need. This ultimately leads to increased learning.

Communication between Students

Students learn a lot about communication in school, so it is imperative that they are taught the importance of good communication skills. Group work and activities that enable children to communicate with one another are great options for teachers who are trying to express the importance of good communication skills.

Positive Attitude

Maintaining a positive attitude, as well as a positive tone, when speaking with others in the school environment is one of the most effective communication strategies. Teachers must stay positive with their students instead of being negative about their failures. Students must also know how to keep a positive attitude when dealing with their teachers and peers. Students will find success in the classroom if they learn to bring up their questions, comments and concerns with positive energy.

Asking Questions

Asking questions is another effective communication strategy that is commonly used in schools. Teachers should ensure that their students always feel as comfortable as possible when it comes to asking questions about their schoolwork. Teachers can do this by using encouraging language or reward systems for students who ask questions during class.

Positive, encouraging, honest teacher student communication and interaction showing mutual respect are vital on many levels. Showing interest and care for students will create a trusting and genuine bond with them, and in most cases they will reciprocate, establishing a win-win situation for students and teachers.

Good interaction provides avenues for exploration and discovery. When planning an interaction it is helpful to consider not only cognitive, but also social/emotional, and physical factors that may foster productive exchange of ideas, create trusting and respectful relationships, and promote the well-being, self-esteem, and sense of security in students.

Ms Sujata Mandal is our School Coordinator: Activities and Sports and Head of Department (Science).