“My students aren’t afraid to speak up in the class.”
“My class is making all the right noise.”
“I cannot predict their answers. Each one is different, but everyone is right.”

These are some of the ways XSEED teachers from across India were describing their students, at the recently held XSEED Education Conference 2019. A confident learner is a happy and productive one, and we would all want a class full of them. Building confidence in students doesn’t require special tricks, but an environment of meaningful learning and support from teachers like you and me.

To empower teachers and students alike for the 21st-century teaching-learning process, schools are focusing on communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. The future workforce needs to be think-innovative, have stronger analytical skills, be agile and flexible and also have interpersonal relationships. To instil such qualities in children and develop skills that make them adapt to new worlds of work, schools are incorporating more activities and using different approaches to learning.
After all, if we hope to inspire a generation of innovators, we can’t have students second-guessing their own ability. There are a few things you can do in your classroom to create a confident workforce of the 21st century.

Setting goals – Traditionally, learning goals are set for teachers and not for the students. Students are never aware of the expectations, guidelines and desired learning goals. Most often, this leaves them completely dependent on the teachers. However, one of the most effective ways to build confident students is to make sure they are on the same page about the learning goals as the teacher.

Encouraging self & peer assessment – Assessments cannot be done away with. However, if it is done by the students for themselves and their peers, it can help them both improve their learning as well as encourage ownership of their project and their growth.

Giving regular feedback – Feedback at regular intervals provides the students with an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and also build a sense of ownership. Feedback, however, should make the person feel good about where they are and inspire them to go ahead. This builds excitement in the students and also boosts their confidence.

Setting open conversations – Open conversations always give the students the freedom to talk their minds, clear doubts and shed inhibitions. In the process of learning, it is important to create an environment where one is free to discuss the concept. It’s where the students experience the joy of being heard, of being understood. And conversation advances self-reflection. The conversations between teachers and students are the cornerstone of early development and continue throughout life.  Why not try one new trick to get the students talking?

Celebrating success – Learning of any type deserves acknowledgment. It is one of the best ways to build confidence, especially in students, as it helps them appreciate each other’s efforts and to grow in a secure space.

Inspiring confidence in your learners every day leaves both your students and yourself on a positive note. It widens their perspective and enables them to see the possibility instead of limitation and also gives them the confidence to see failures as an opportunity to improve and excel.

We at XSEED work with schools as an academic partner providing a complete solution for developing 21st century skills in children. We have a 200 strong R&D department, and our solution addresses every aspect of your academic need – micro curriculum, teacher and leader training, books and workbooks, assessment, and technology. For more information, visit xseededucation.com or call us at 1800 102 7200 (toll free number)

This blog also appears under the heading “Five effective ways teachers can help create the 21st century workforce”

Image Credits: Designed by jcomp / Freepik