The Human Factor in Retention
How important is the human factor in student retention?
Hi Angela,
The human factor is the glue that holds education together no matter what the subject is. Your points are dead on in terms of including the students to the point they feel accepted and comfortable. It is at this time the learning process is going to really take off.
Gary
The human factor is very important in retention. The human factor allows the instructor to exhibit empathy and display sensitivity. Students need to know that they are more than just someone that is accumulating student loan debt. They need to feel like they belong, that the instructor cares about them and their success, and that instructor is there to help in any way he or she can, whether it is just a an ear to listen or a few simple words of encouragement.
It is key. The students will feel they are depersonalized and will increase their level of interest
Hi Larry,
Well said and something we all need to remember as we enter the classroom. Students need to see the human factor in their instructor and themselves. After all it they are going to school to better themselves and create a future. They need to be reminded of that often.
Gary
Hi Jennifer,
This is very true. Adult students bring to the classroom some very impacting life situations. We need to be aware of how we can support our students when faced with these challenges and yet keep them moving forward in their learning.
Gary
In my experience the human factor is of paramount importance. Even if the student stays because they do not want to disppoint a caring instructor, it gives us a chance to continue the education process. At some point, the self-reward of education will provide more and stronger resons to stay. The human factor is often the only reason students stay.
I think it's important to realize that these students are adults, with adult lives and responsibilities. It's important to remember this in the way we treat them.
it is important to have a value in everything one does and to attached a personal meaning to get one's attention for success.
Often adult students have many outside factors that might casue them to leave school, such as family issues, problems with transpotation, health conditions, and other factors that are out of the instructor's control.
The instructor may make the difference to retention if they show they care about their student and welcome them each day into the classroom. My classes are small enough this term that I am able to greet each student by name each day and ask the "How are you doing?" I am usually able to tell just from chatting with them briefly how they are doing that day or in geberal.
Sometimes at breaks or after class students tell me problems in their life or show me pictures of their family and children. I take the time to be empathic and give supprtive encouragment.I honestly care about my students and I believe they know this and find it to be supportive.
The human factor is a critical factor in student retention. It is essential that my students understand that I am going to treat and expect them to behave as adults. I also greet and acknowledge each of them at the beginning of each class. I ask each of them to take their reading on our classroom stress meter. This usually breaks the ice and allows me to get a good feel for where they are are at the start of class. It is also a good activity to draw them into class participation from the very start.
Hi Amy,
So simple yet so powerful. Knowing that someone in authority, in this case their instructor cares about their success is a motivator of the highest level. They will work harder knowing they are meeting the standards you have set and that you believe in them and their futures.
Gary
The human factor is incredibly important. That is why it is important to set clear expectations on the syllabus upfront but be flexible enough to make accomodations as needed.
The human factor is of the utmost importance. Students need to feel you care. If they don't believe you care, they are more likely not to care themselves.
Very important. They will be more apt to learn and respect you if you show that you care and are willing to be patient and help them.
Hi George,
Good to hear about the great discussion you had with your students. As you mentioned it took a little probing to get them started but once you found the "hot button" they took off.
The key is to keep coming up with topics that interest them and will get them to talking. You can have them make a list of topics they want to discuss in class. Always keep the class moving forward with the content that you have listed as being critical for them to acquire but you can integrate the topics the students bring up at the appropriate times. Since the are student generated you shouldn't have any problem in getting the discussion going when you are in the discussion format. If you do keep asking questions within the topic area until you find an area they want to talk about.
Gary
Hi Gary,
Today I took the class time to get our students to be more relaxed and involved.The class started as usual and I needed to make an announcement about a visiting busness coming to the school to see our program and possibly becoming a partner to provide jobs after graduation. After answering the few questions that the class asked I explained how this could be a great oppertunity for them. To my suprise there didnt seem to be very much excitment at this possibility. The students are coming to the end of a long and complecated class and I desided to give them a break from the subject. So I asked why if they dont understand something they dont ask to have it explained until they do. Almost the whole class stayed silent. I took this a a sign that I hit a nerve because they usally have to be asked to stop talking and pay atte4ntion to the material. So I asked them to explain to me what an APP is on the cell or smart phone. Because to me it was like a short cut on a Pc.After a few minutes I thanked them for information and commented that they were so lucky to grow up with this tech stuff and how the have the advantage over someone my age struggling to learn it. The flood gates opened the discussion went from using thing like slide rules (most didnt know what they were ) to will we ever fly instead of driving. So I took the opertunity to explain the changes in the subject they were studying fit into every day scheme of things and how we had taken how it has changed thier lives having them. My consern now is how to keep this ball rolling.
Hi Bronwen,
Good strategy. Students as you know really like to hear from those that have gone through what they are going through and are successful. So the more examples like this you can share with the students the higher their motivation is going to be.
Gary
I like bringing in previous students who are now in their respective field to speak to the students about their trials going through the educational process. It helps the students to see that their goals are obtainable.
Hi Paul,
Well said and so important. The human factor is why we are in teaching in the first place. So the more we can reach out and show an interest in our students the greater our connection to them is going to be. This helps with both respect and rapport to key ingredients for successful teaching.
Gary
