If students don't feel the relivence of class or material presented, it is hard for them to stay focused. Having ADHD myself, I take this in to consideration with every class. Am I prepared? Is this engaging enough? How can this be more concice? If I can keep those parameters, students seem to retain more of the material.
I think it's very important. When students feel the class is fair and the instructor cares about them learning, they are more motivated to get to class on time and more open to learning in general. If students don't feel the instructor cares about them, they have a higher likelihood of dropping the class or developing a bad attitude about it.
I just thought of another thing I do that I know, from the looks on my students' faces, that no one else does: At the end of the class period, I ask them to come back the next week.
One way that I add the human factor at the beginning of a term for each of my online courses is to respond to the post of each student with some item from their post with which I have a similar experience. For example, someone may say they live in Michigan and I would then respond with the fact that I grew up in Michigan. I can usually find some little item to which I can relate to each student.
Hi Ida,
I am sure that these individual meetings result in the development of both mutual respect and rapport. When these two elements are involved motivation and excitement increases for both students and the instructor. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Erin,
Well said. We need to factor the human aspect into our teaching persona so the students can see us in that light. It is important for the development of rapport and respect.
Gary
The Human Factor is very important, students want to feel like they are a real person not just another number or student. Instructors have to make each student feel like they are the most important student to them. This will help with retaining our students. We have to listen and empathize with our students whenever there is an issue.
I give my students an opportunity to grade their own quizzs and give feed bach if quiz was relevant and fair.
I meet with individual students weekly to discuss their progress in the course and ask for ways to improve the course.
The human factor is important because differnt people of differnt backgrounds view their education and the education experience different.
Melonie, I agree - the human factor component is very important in the online environment. I like that you provide prompt feedback to your students. Do you find it is difficult to maintain the 1-2 hour responsiveness?
The human factor is incredibly important in retention. Working in an online environment, one of the biggest challenges is replicating the ways you connect with students in a live classroom.
I have found personalized feedback is tremendously appreciated by students. Assignments, such as quizzes, that grade automatically, do not give students the chance to hear from an instructor what they are doing well and things to consider for future assignments.
Additionally, providing an avenue for 'socializing' is also important. As the students develop rapport with one another, they are more likely to engage, be open and honest, and provide feedback for one another on the discussion board. In my course, we have a weekly open-ended discussion board question: What is one positive thing that happened to you this week? This question allows for the social component to be met.
The human factor is probably the most important part of retention. How a student feels about their accomplishments and even just their life in general can make a difference in whether they stay in school or not. I believe that while the accounting skills I learned in school were very important, the self-confidence I gained was probably as equally important. If I did not feel I could make it in the accounting field, it wouldn't have made any sense to continue in school. I try very hard to try to help instill self-confidence in my students during each class.
I feel it is critical to student retention. In the online environment I have a great deal of nontraditional students where "life" tends to get in the way of their education. In these instances I try to go above and beyond to communicate with these students that I am available to help in any way I can. Hopefully they will see beyond the immediate problem and that their education is a life long solution.
Hi Clay,
I do this as well and the results are great! I get to know the students better, get a feel for the mood of the class for that day and work on developing rapport with each student. Good to hear of your success with your students as well.
Gary
I always greet students as they come into class. I talk with each briefly during classes and ask them about things not class related. It is important to me that students feel accepted the learning environment.
Hi Jeff,
There are many different formats that are used when teaching online so it is hard to say how it can be done exactly. I start my online courses with introductions and a series of questions some related to the class and some that ask about general things, like interests, travel, etc.. This gets the students talking among themselves and with me and it builds from there because we get to know each other better on a personal basis.
Gary
It is very important, but how do you make that connection when teaching online?
Hi Donald,
I wish you much success in your teaching career. You have a great attitude so I know you are going to be successful in your instructional efforts.
Gary
Hi Jennifer,
This is a great way to get the attention of your students and to show them the value of setting and achieving goals.
Gary
