Leslie,
Value is an essential part of the retention process. We need to bring the human factor into our classes and labs so our students know that they have a learning leader that cares.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If students don't feel they are a valued part of the learning process, they will lose their drive and focus. In order to feel like they are part of the learning process,they need acknowledgement and respect. I have seen instructors shoot themselves in the foot by holding such high standards that the student feel inadequate and want to give up.
Nieva,
Thank you for sharing this student interaction. Like the style of the second student because he or she knows how to take charge of his or her future and shape it in a way that will yield successful results. This is truly the human factor in all of this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One student said once, "I can't do it. It is too much. I am human and I am not perfect."
The other student heard and responded, " I am human too, I am not perfect but I can make things better because I am in control with what I want in life."
MacDameon,
This is the human side of being an educator. What are some ways that you provide this kind of support to your students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It actually determines the direction of the course/class. Having someone they value and respect can give a great level of confidence to the students learning ability. Sometimes taking time to stop and reflect will help the instuctors to understand the human side of there students.
Ali,
These are all good ways to make the course personal for the students. Even though not in the same room they are in the same learning environment and this is because you have set up the environment to be supportive and interactive. Great work!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel it is very important. Going from teaching face to face to online, I have had to be creative in this area. When I have students attend the live chats, I make sure to use their names throughout the presentation. I also always make sure to have my webcam. In their assignment notes I make sure to use their names. I also often pick up the phone to call them if needed instead of always relying on email.
Don,
Like the quote. It has a lot of merit for all students to consider. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I was a continuing education conference once and heard something I think helps me to get students to focus on the importance of the class work. "Learning (or acquiring new skills) is about consistency, life is about priorities, figure it out." I like to tell students this and remind them why they are enrolled in the first place.
Eric,
Your comments are right on target in terms of how students are kept in programs. Yes, it is the human factor and the influence that instructors have on the students. They need to see in their learning leader a person that is there to help them be successful if they are willing to put for the needed effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
my dog ate the paper car trouble my spouse is sice it's monday it's friday all excuses and sometimes we just have to be straight up with our students and say Priorities!!!!! what are your priorites and your number on priority should be coming to class
The human factor is incredibly important to retention and many other aspects of being an educator. Students are more likely to seek guidance from an instructor that demonstrates they have a genuine concern for the student’s wellbeing. Building this rapport with the students will greatly increase the chances of a student coming to you with a concern at a point when it can be fixed, rather than waiting until it is too late to effectively help the student and keep them enrolled.
Belinda,
This is the human aspect of teaching and it is as essential as the content that is being shared.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students must feel respected and supported by the instrutor. They must feel that you will be fair and teach with integrity. They must feel that you genuinely care about their success.
Jessica,
Good analysis of how to approach and support students. We need to be a career model and learning leader for our students so they feel comfortable in working with us and appreciate the value of the content we are sharing with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Patricia,
This is a very important part of the educational process. As the learning leader you need to project a human side that shows your students what a professional in their field should be like.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
All humans regardless of whether or not they are students want to identify with their peers or people that they interact with throughout life. People want to know that others experience day to day ups and downs just as they do. As an instructor, it is important to let students know that you have struggled through some of the same things that they have because you too have had to go through school in order to get to where you are. I think that this is especially important in the technical or trade school environment as many of these students have jobs and are also students. It is also extremely important to tailor your lessons to applicable skills in life.
This is hugely important. Students need to feel respected and understood. They are people with issues outside of the classroom that affect them.
Lindsay,
It is easy to get sucked in by students. I am a soft touch as well so I have to constantly tell myself that I have to step back and hold the student accountable not matter what the excuse is. One of the reasons I teach is that I enjoy working with the students and the interaction I get to have with them on the other hand I also can set myself up for getting sucked in because of the human factor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
