It's crucial! I had a student tell me that he waited to take my class because he knew the instructor who had taught it he previous quarter and he said she knew the material and was a good instructor, but she had no empathy or compassion if a student was having difficulty.
The Human Factor I think is one of the most important things in the classroom. If the students dont feel they are being respected and their needs met they will not retain as much information.
The human factor is very important to retention. The student has to know that the instuctor cares abou them and their success.
Hi Nikhil,
Good points about making sure we instructors are aware of the human factor in our working with students. You are right about the baggage that many students bring into our classrooms. We need to be as supportive as we can be while keeping our students engaged and focused on their career development.
Gary
We really cannot underestimate the importance of being compassionate with our students these days. As more and more adult learners are entering the classrooms once again, they are bringing with them "baggage" from their past & current lives with them. Ofcourse, one cannot let these turn into sob stories in the classroom but you have to sensisitive to the situation at the same time make sure that it does not disrupt the class. These students are here for a reason, we need to find that reason and make them remember it everyday as with the passing of each day they are inching closer to their success.
I agree. Too often instructors fill multiple voids. Instructor, motivator, role model and cheering squad. If we miss the opportunity to connect at the beginning,students will often give up.
Sometimes the smallest things are what matter to the most. Greeting everyone with a smile, gently patting them on the arm, if they are visuably upset, then setting them down and private and letting them vent. I remember once telling someone who did that "You care, and that means everything to me."
I think the human factor is very important in retention. If you make that personal connection with a student the first week or two of class, they feel that you want them to come to class, are anxious to see them and have them participate. Everyone wants to feel that they matter, especially to someone who is an authority figure.
It is Very important. Students need to know the reason your in front of the classroom is because you have something to offer that they want. The knowledge they need to be successful in their chosen career and your willing to help them learn and apply that information. If you come off as uncaring and uninterested in their success, simply teaching a required course versus sharing your knowledge with a future peer, students become unmotivated an drop out.
The Human Factor will make or break student retention. If a student believes you care and are there to help, s/he will more likely be motivated to come to class.
I try to integrate all types of teaching for comprehension, I cantell when the students are falling off
Very important. You must be able to relate to your students and remember that you once were in their seats and you should be able to relate and you want the students to be able to come to with anything and you can help them. You must make it fun for everyone in your class so they want to come back again and again, and recommend your class to others as well.
Two things come to mind with your question. First, it's important to know your students well enough to understand their educational goals. Then relate the materials that you are teaching to their goals so that they understand the purpose of the materials you introduce. Secondly, fairness must be a part of how an instructor manages the classroom. Consistency is important, but for students to learn accountability, a soft skill with which many struggle, an instructor must provide a measure of flexibility and fairness in demands made upon students for accountability. No student is the same, nor or their circumstances. Treating each with respect and fairness eventually teaches a lesson often more valuable that the day's curriculum.
The classroom is not unlike the workplace in this area. When students or employees feel valued, appreciated as people, and motivated, they do their best work. This leads to success and praise, which in turn leads to more success and more praise. Therefore, it is obvious that recognizing and addressing the human factor in education may actually more important in student retention than academic success.
I believe the human factor is really important, I try and get to class early so that I can talk pesonally with the students; about their day, about how things are going for them, if they are having any difficulties and I let them know that I will be here to help them if they need it.
You have to make every student feel like an individual. Knowing their names is a big step in the direction. You need to encourage them and bring their value to the forefront, that is how to succeed with students who have had very little in their life. We all need this type of recognition from time to time and even very successful people say they are more driven and confident with every accolade and piece of recognition
Hi Lisa,
I have been teaching 37 years and have experienced numerous times when I have sought to take a personal interest and meet with the students one-on-one that it has motivated them enough to turn their study habits or priorities around and they succeed in the program. Getting personal is very important to most students.
Bill
The human factor is the most important in determining the success of a student. The personal attention given to a student can determine their failure or success. If we, as instructors, do not show caring and empathy with all students, they will think to themselves "why should I bother?"
Hi Christina,
Most individuals do see the approval of authority figures or people they respect. By seeking your approval students are showing that they respect you and what you are trying to teach them.
When I have students that don't care about the course or me I make it my special assignment to zero in on them and see if I can win them over. Sometimes I am able to and other times we never can get on the same page. The majority of times though I can find some way to get through to such students and help them find success in my course.
Gary
Relating to your students is critical to gaining their respect. I find my students are much more motivated to complete assignments, study for their exams and contribute to class discussions if they are seeking my approval. The students who don't care what I think of them are the hardest to motivate.
