Recognizing Student Fear: The Elephant in the Classroom

Abstract

Understanding fear, its causes, and its impact on students can be important for educators who seek ways to help students manage their fears. This paper explores common types of student fears such as performance-based anxiety, fear of failure, fear of being laughed at, and cultural components of fear that impact learning. The cognitive, emotional, and physiological components of fear are also investigated, including its role in memory deficits and key functions of the central nervous system that may be short-circuited when students are overwhelmed by feelings of fear. Specific strategies for educators are provided to help students manage fear-based behaviors and achieve emotional balance and academic success in the classroom. These strategies include educating oneself and students about fear, creating a nurturing environment for students, taking advantage of campus resources, being proactive about communicating with students outside of the classroom, and incorporating active learning strategies.

Keywords:

• anxiety
• classroom environment
• fear
• gelotophobia
• higher education
• student fears
• student learning
• teaching