Dr. Meers,
I would call this step #1.
We all respond well to those who take the effort and initiative to learn our names. I have always made it a top priority to accomplish by the end of day 2. The familiar comfort level that comes from this is critical to retention. It is the first outward sign of your caring and why we all like to go back to our favorite store or resturant. Like the saying goes from the old TV show Cheers...Where everybody knows your name...This is the actions speak louder than words way of showing you care.
I feel it is very important to allow the human factor in the class, we need every means available to connect with the students. The human factor may be the timely touch that will make the differance and tip the balance in favor of continuing in a program.
Hi Jennifer,
Great strategy for remembering names. Not to mention you are developing rapport with your students as a result of listening to something they share with you about their lives and then connecting that with their names. This really helps to build respect between an instructor and students.
Gary
I have a hard time sometimes with students names.
It is easier for them- they have to learn two names: "chef", and "professor". (And...We wear name tags, they do not.) So I try to do everything I can to remember their names. When we go for grading- they are also assigned a random number which corresponds to the spot in the grade book for them. So I start associating names and numbers with faces.
Students love to talk to you and tell you what they are doing. So when they come and tell me about what stuff is going on in their life work, personal, etc- I'll fo llow up with them the next day. Even if it was a minor as taking their dog for a walk after school. They told me something- and I recognize that I remember that. And then put the story with the name and a number and a face.
So then 4 courses later, when they come back by to say hi- I at least have a chance of remembering their names, and hopefully something about them, other than just a former student.
It is the most comprehensive aspect we as
instructorscan admire and use to convie our truths about the world of learning. Advancing the dreams of others through comfort and confidence in our students.
Hi Pietro,
This is so very true in terms of being models for out students. What are some areas you focus on to ensure that you are serving as a model for your students?
Gary
This is very true. In Career education we are the example for our students for the industry we serve. By modeling to our students they can learn the difference between right and wrong. They will learn from our examples and serve our industry from our example.
Hi Art,
Good points about creating the connection between the instructor and the students. By laying out the course expectations, requirements and policies any misunderstanding is greatly reduced. This way students can concentrate on being successful in the course. Even when students don't like an instructor by being professional one can earn their respect for the knowledge and experience you bring to the class.
Gary
Hi Bob,
Simple and to the point. Good advice and a critical factor in career college success, the key is to get them to eat something along the way of knowledge and skills.
Gary
Hi Tracy,
The wise instructor gave you some very good advice. This is the human part of teaching. If students realize that you care about them as humans then respect and rapport start to build.
Gary
Hi Jeff,
This is a good approach because this helps student with skill development. If they don't know where they need improvement they won't know where they should concentrate their efforts. By knowing they are doing certain things correctly they are able to build on that to expand their expertise.
Gary
I think the human factor is very important. Many students do not attend class because they don't like the instructor, don't like his approach, don't think he cares about them, etc. Like all activities, we need to first establish an atmosphere of trust, respect, and compassion for and from the students before we proceed. One way I try to do that is by "telling it how it is" from the very first day. Even if the don't want to hear the truth, like "you need to spend 12 hours outside of class each week" or "chemistry is not easy", they respect you for telling it to them straight. As they learn by experience that what you told them is true, they come to trust what you tell them later on.
Very simple and in very few words if you cant retain you students you wont be in buizness very long.So what do I mean? Bring it to the table and bring them to the table and eat.Some may eat peas some will eat corn,ITs your job to figure it out.
This is basic human relations.
You treat everyone with the level of respect that you would want to be given.
Everyone wants to be recognized as an individual. Even though we have a tendency to lump people into groups, figuratively and literally, we all need to remember that everyone in that group is indeed an individual.
Get on a personal level with the learners, learn their names, and learn their children’s names, hobbies and especially their career goals.
This sets the tone that their success is your goal as well as it is theirs, that the training they are involved in is a partnership.
When people feel disliked, unwelcomed or just another cog in the wheel, they tend to move on to a more comfortable environment.
The human factor is very important in retaining students. Students need support to succeed in school. They must find support from family, friends, financal institutions, placement directors, but most of all faculty. The instructor spends more time with the student than any other afore mentioned. It is very hard to support your students unless you bring the human factor into perspective.
I was once told by a very wise instructor that "students don't care what you have to teach, if you don't care about them as human beings".
Whenever assessing lab assignments I always try and begin with what the student has done correctly first, and then what they need to improve on. I also believe being truthful and upfront with the student is critical.
The human factor in student retention is crucial. Adults as students are stepping out of their "comfort zone" and to have an instructor that shows their "humanness" helps to alleviate some of their anxiety.
Exteremely. If all you worry about are the numbers, you lose sight of the real reason you are there and that is the person sitting in front of you looking for an understanding of the concepts you are presenting
The human facotr is clearly one of the most important factors in student retention and instructional success. The career college students arrive with so many fears. If they see that their instructor is fair and caring many of their fears disappear.
Hi John,
Right you are based upon my years in teaching. Respect and rapport are two critical elements needed for teaching success.
Gary
