Shannon,
Yes it is. This is the human factor in teaching and must never forget to live and promote it as we interact with students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's important to always remember that students are human just like us. They need to know that we care and understand them. If we fail to do so we will lose the student which is not being successful.
SUSAN,
Good information and examples of why the human factor has to be an integral element in all the interactions we have with our students. This is what a lot of their success is build on.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is very important in retention. We live in a culture were people interact with one another. We interact in all different ways from dealing with sales associates at the store to forming relationships of all kinds. The interactions that are of must substance and provide a great connection to another living things are the ones that keep us going back to them. Whit that said examples of this would include going to just one particular cashier at a grocery store based solely on the fact she or he is a friendly individual who can make your shopping experience enjoyable. That cashier is ensuring not only business for the store by you returning but also her job security because she or he is liked by the public. On the flip side if you have an great aunt who is an old bitty and very impersonal you will not go out of your way to harvest a relationship with her despite the fact she is related to you. She does not retain your interest because of her mannerisms.
Kimberly,
Very well said. The human factor is present in all that we do both within our families as well as our careers. Our students need to see examples of how the human factor can influence their career success by knowing how to get along with others and let people know they are valued.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If the instructor cannot provide the human factor the education can become irrelevant for some students. This factor is often what connects the students to their education, learning, progress, and goal setting as well as, achievement.
The instructors spend the most time with the students. Even if there are personality differences the mutual respect and fairness associated with the human factor can allow the student to do very well and not dislike the learning process because of the dislike for the instructor, which hinders their learning, retention, and success.
Everyone likes to feel that they are being heard and acknowledged,that they are being treated fairly as individuals, and that their instructors care about them and their success. If an instructor is overly detached from their students, the feeling is likely to become mutual... and for the students, these feelings toward an instructor can inform how they feel about their entire education. For nontraditional students dealing with a number of extrinsic issues and a sense that they are not successful students, the human factor can have an enormously positive or negative impact.
I think it's really important. I equate that to my own personal experience when I was a kid in middle school. I was that kid that struggled with math.....it didn't come easy to me and I often felt very stupid. When I had an amazing math teacher that had every characteristic of the human factor as an instructor, I succeed and flourished. When I didn't, I remember being in high school dropping math courses due to the teacher!! I took this with me into my career as an instructor, and I always try to have those characteristics in my teaching approach because I want to keep those students and not lose them.
It's essential that students feel like a person, not a thing. Student engagement and retention are significantly improved when students are recognized as individuals with worth and value. Studies show that if a student makes a connection with one person--be it an administrator, instructor, or another student--they are more likely to succeed and continue with their educaiton.
Pauline,
Very true. What are some ways that you show that you care about your students and their success? Thanks for you input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
if a student feels that an instructor really cares about their success, the tend to do better.
Judy,
Sometimes hard for them to accept but you are right. Once they know they can make mistakes if they learn from them they can then proceed with the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
DEBORAH,
Right you are and by knowing such you will be able to provide the needed support for success and career growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Adult learners need to understand that they cannot and will not always be perfect. it's ok to make mistakes.
A part of the human factor is acknowledging a person's strengths and weaknesses. From this an instructor can better guide the thinking and knowledge base of the student.
William,
Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it is what students admire about their instructors. We need to bring both to the class each time it meets. Right you are about the fulfillment in knowing impact has been made in the life of both the instructor and the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students want to see passion in their instructor for their education and their personal success. When we demonstrate sincere caring for their success the result is fulfilling to the instructor as well as the student in the form a life long connection.
James,
This is so important if you are to earn the respect of your students. When respect is earned the foundation is laid for the development of rapport with students and this is when learning really becomes a part of why they are in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel an instructor has to become "approachable". Students that feel comfortable and respect their instructor tend to be better students.
Christina,
Stories from the field are what increase the value of the course content to and for the students. Your specific story I know will be reflected on for many years by your students as think about their own preparation and trust that they have the technical and cognitive skills required to work with patients in all settings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
