Praise is Worth a Thousand P☺unds

"What an imagination, Kinley!" a teacher praised his student.

Kinley smiled and said, "Thank you."

The teacher then asked another question. All the students put their hands up.

"Let me…," someone said.

The teacher has a very complaisant and lively class. The teacher considers the students good friends, and the students see the teacher as the sun—a sun that shines warmly and equally on everyone.

The teacher uses encouraging remarks every time his pupils make slight progress. The students work hard to receive the best remarks from their teacher. They glow with interest, growing more curious, and prepare themselves to give the best responses. They are curious about what the next good word might be! They want to please the teacher, and the teacher wants to impress them—fulfilling both their objectives and goals in the end.

The teacher uses many forms of verbal and written reinforcement, such as: "How smart!" "I'm proud of you." "What a good listener!" "Magnificent." "That's the best." "Awesome." "Remarkable job." "Super work." "Outstanding." "Exceptional." (These are some frequently used remarks.) Besides these, the teacher also makes written comments, gives pats on the back, applause, smiles, gestures, gifts, and acknowledgments. The skill of reinforcement is a basic tool that a teacher uses to enhance teaching and learning.

For a systematic and successful teaching-learning process, feedback that is relevant, immediate or timely, factual, helpful, respectful, and sometimes confidential as needed, would be of great assistance.

Students also learn to do good things through good remarks. Pupils are like tender bean plants—if not supported, they will not flourish and bear fruit.

Scientific studies have found that a misbehaving person can become good in a pleasant environment or surroundings, and vice versa. Psychologists also argue that "students of teachers who emphasize teaching behaviors such as praise and encouragement tend to learn more than students of teachers who emphasize criticism and punishment," and that teachers who "check students' progress regularly and adjust instructions accordingly" are using effective teaching strategies.

Therefore, in the teaching-learning area, the kind of environment and strategies adopted will decide and affect students' studies and their lives throughout.

An encouraging class will be supportive and attentive, and by way of that, develops enthusiasm for learning.

If observed thoroughly, people's mannerisms will show that the magic of reinforcement in teaching has a profound effect on their studies and their lives.

What are soothing to our ears are nicely said, sweet words—just as sweets are sweet to our mouths. We desire them, and sometimes we demand them. Students, especially, must sometimes "deserve and desire."