During a tedious technical exercise the instructor notes that the learners are nervous and apprehensive about starting.
Which of the following should the instructor do?
Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer
A. B. C. D.A.
When learners feel nervous or apprehensive about starting a technical exercise, the instructor must address the situation to create a positive and conducive learning environment. Here's a breakdown of each answer option and its potential effectiveness:
A. Reassure everyone that they will perform well and monitor their progress on a more personal basis.
This option shows the instructor's empathy and encourages the learners to be confident. The instructor must ensure that they personalize their reassurances to every learner to maintain a personal touch. However, without additional strategies, the reassurance alone may not be enough to ease the learners' nervousness.
B. Give the learners extra time to complete the exercise.
This option might reduce learners' anxiety levels since it relieves some of the pressure to complete the exercise within a specific timeframe. However, it might not necessarily address the cause of the learners' apprehension. It's also possible that providing extra time may cause some learners to procrastinate further.
C. Present the lecture portion again to reinforce the exercise and then follow up with a question and answer session.
This option allows the instructor to review and reinforce the exercise's key concepts. The review can give learners an opportunity to better understand the material and clarify any doubts they might have. The question and answer session can also address any specific concerns learners may have about the exercise. This option may take longer than the other options, but it is a comprehensive solution.
D. Tell a humorous story to make the learners feel more comfortable during the exercise.
This option may help put the learners at ease, but it may also be inappropriate or ineffective, depending on the learners' culture, sensitivity, or preferences. Some learners may find it distracting, especially if they feel that the instructor is not taking the exercise seriously.
In summary, while all the answer options might have some merit, option C is the most comprehensive solution. The instructor can review the exercise's key concepts, reinforce the learners' knowledge, and clarify any doubts they might have. Additionally, the question and answer session can give the learners an opportunity to express their concerns, thereby reducing their nervousness and apprehension.