Hi Michelle,
Good point about the personal touch. Knowing that the instructor is supportive and knowledgeable of their career goals really helps the students to become engaged in the course.
Gary
The human factor is vital to retention. Most of the online schools I work at have an introduction forum where they share information with the students about themselves. I try to respond to each and everyone of these intro posts with some personalized response relevant to what they posted about themselves. It gives me a whole new perspective on how to teach them as a group and as individuals. I brought this into my traditional class this semester. I had an introduction activity where they had to interview each other and then present information about the other person to the class. It helped me learn about them and their personal and educational goals. It also helps me identify those students' needs and expectations out of the class.
Stacy Everly
In terms of student retention the human factor is really key. Students need to be understood and they want to know that you care about their success and well being. One of the most important things I read in Phase 2 was addressing students in class by name. Sometimes the smallest things are the most important when it comes to retaining students.
It's very essential because you don't want to be robotic in your instruction. You have to make it your own and show a more understandable way of it.
Hi Linda,
I commend you for the personal touch and support you give your students. They are dealing with many different life situations while still trying to be successful students so knowing they have a caring supportive instructor greatly increases their desire to be successful and complete their schooling.
Gary
I appreciated the comment above envisioning the students carrying around a sign saying "pay attention to me". I have found that being engaged with my students on a personal level; without crossing the line of teacher vs "buddy", of course, goes a long way to show them that I do genuinely care about what is happening in their lives outside of school. Although we would all like to believe that they leave there home lives at the front door, they DO bring their problems into their learning environment. I make a point to greet each one of my students by name as they enter my classroom and ask them how they are doing. I also make myself available to them for advising as they feel the need.
Having a good repport with students at the onset of any class is essential to the students sucess or failure . if we are to continue to teach learners we need to keep that in mind.
Extremely important. Students have to feel that they are part of the educational process. If they feel that they are valued and respected, that they matter, and have something to contribute, then I believe they will want to be more engaged in the learning process. The human factor helps to build rapport with your students and that can translate into greater levels of performance and responsibility.
If a student cares about you and respects you, they will strive harder to do what they think is pleasing to you. People respond to people not policy
The human factor cannot be understated. I believe everyone walks around with an invisible sign that says "make me feel special". As instructional leaders we all need to look for genuine opportunities to respond to our students need for recognition.
The human factor is very important. It is encouraging to see a student's face the next class when he/she is greeted by name; or if you notice the student's demeanor has changed and inquire if there is something that you can do to assist without getting too personal.
When a student is having an extrinsic problem, it is difficult to not over compensate in order to assist the student. Sometimes helping a student with a problem by allowing additional time to complete an assignment can help, but it can also handicap the student into thinking whenever I have a problem, the professor will allow extra time.
The Human Factor should be why we teach. We aren't just trying to get as much information out there as possible, we are trying to make connections to and for people. Each individual needs to feel valued. I know I do. I always put myself in my students' shoes and ask how can I uplift them today? As an instructor I am here to support and uplift as well as to teach and expound.
The human factor is extremely important because you need to show your student syou care and want to see them succeed. Just lecturing is not gonna provide the atomsphere of learning for the students they need to see your human like them and you want them to do well in the class and give them all the information to do so.
i try to do thesame thing but nowadays i also take into consideration that culture also plays a roll in how interactive/vocal a student is.
Greeting students and taking an interest in the students, shows you care about them as a student and person. I greet students before class, and talk with them after class. The student that is interested in being a good student will engage in conversation after class. I never leave the classroom without addressing all questions first. The student that won't voice his/her concerns during lecture will talk to me after class.
The human factor is extremely important for retention because the student needs to feel like they have been acknowledged and are a part of what is going on.
Hi Larry,
Good point about saying and living the "right thing" in relation to learning and career success. We need help students to see how their future is going to be shaped by their abilities, knowledge and communication skills.
Gary
Students are challenged every day by not only school work but by personal and out side of school roadblocks. This is why it is so important to be a instructor who cares about the success of the student and does the right thing when the student is being challenged. Remember I said the right thing.
Hi Lisa,
Two essential ingredients for success. We instructors need to focus on these two as we enter the classroom each time. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Gary
I think the most important thing is being consistent and fair. Also having a caring attitude about the individual's accomplishments.
