Section 8: Cooperation With Teachers

This section discusses the importance of empathy between teachers and students. Teacher expectations of students, for example, is a major influence on achievement. Students perceived as low in ability and high in effort receive more positive feedback than high ability-high effort students. Similarly, pupils believed to be low in ability and low in effort receive more positive feedback than high ability-low effort students. It is essential, therefore, that teachers and students make every effort to understand each other and that students learn to show initiative in developing cooperative working relations with teachers. Here are some possible discussion topics for Section 8.

A. The importance of empathy, genuineness, and positive regard between students and teachers.

B. The role of self-disclosure in creating a cooperative environment in the classroom.

C. How students can help teachers be more effective.

D. Specific avenues of cooperation between teachers and students.