The human factor is extremely important to student retention. It is vital that instructors recognize that students, especially adult students have other “things†going on with life. Sometimes life gets in the way for everyone and an instructor needs to learn to be flexible. It is critical to recognize that being flexible is not equated with being lax. I have a background in social work. I am familiar with social ills. I am familiar with people trying to better themselves. If the human factor can allow an instructor to accept a late assignment, the student may recognize that with that little relief they can succeed, and not be so quick to give up.
It is extremely important. If the students don't feel as if you care about them then they may drop out.
The human factor in retention is probably one of the most important factors in retention. If the student believes that an instructor cares about his or her welfare and has the student's interest at heart, then the other stuff is not quite as important. However, the school staff still needs to treat the adult learner with respect, the instructor has to know his stuff, the equipment better be at least somewhat up to date, and it would nice if the facilities were good. However, a discourteous, or rude, instructor, or an instructor who just doesn't care, can go a long way to empty the classroom.
To me this is the most important key to retaining students. There needs to be an Instructor/student connection(which of course needs to be positive) that begins from the get go. A mutual respect and trust between the Instructor and students paves the way for the necessary communication to ensure student success.
To me this is the most important key to retaining students. There needs to be an Instructor/student connection(which of course needs to be positive) that begins from the get go. A mutual respect and trust between the Instructor and students paves the way for the necessary communication to ensure student success.
Aaron,
I agree with your statenment about adult learners having (outside) things on their mind while attending school. We try to help them resolve these issues through Student Services so they are free to concentrate on their studies. Sometimes all it take is the instructor saying "I understand" and a student is helped.
Thanks for the post.
John
The human factor is of the ultimate importance in maintaining student retention. If you do not "connect" with your students - especially the adult learners - they will hate coming to class and find little if anythin relavant in what you present. You need to make that contact and show them how what you are teaching will be applicablie to their work environment immedictaely.
I too notice that, of course, all the outside world's pressures on students affects their in-class attention span and performance. I find time, as an effort to aid their "self-actualization," to read them a page or two of quotations that celebrate the power of thinking positively and that focus on overcoming obstacles. Affirmations, you might say, that I think all of us need to practice to help keep our aim on achieving goals we are all capable of -- with hard work and persistence and patience.
Respecting students as individuals not only helps students move beyond the basic needs of comfort but also helps to fulfill belongingness. ultimately, learning in is a creative act. Creative acts require lower level needs to be met.
As the instructors, it is our job to help students, if for just the time our classrooms, find the self-actualization needed to become fully engaged in the their learning process.
In my experience, adult students have a lot on their minds: bills, work, relationships, etc. These worries can take precedence over classroom learning. As an instructor of adult students, I've found that being in the classroom early and talking with students as the arrive about their lives helps them to move beyond their worries and get ready to learn.
Since all learning has an emotional component, the 'human' factor of connection between an instructor and his/her students is the foundation that allows students to trust in the instructor's guidance, be inspired to learn, and to invest (buy in)to the study and discipline it takes to complete the class.
I believe it is very important. If students feel that the instructor cares and respects them, they will feel confident and have a reason to come back to class every day.
Very important. Repetition is a key to retention.
All of these are great strategies, as a chef instructor, it is easy to see them accomplish a task daily or not. I always encourage them to practice techniques as much as possible and to not become discouraged.
It is important that the students feel valued. This can be done by the caring attitude of the instructor. The instructor has the vested interest for them to succeed. This will make the students comfortable and motivated to learn.
Hi Ana,
Good point about how students can use cheerleaders at times. Knowing an instructor cares about their success can be a great motivator for students to keep putting for the effort and trying to complete the course.
Gary
In education, you have no value to today's student population if you do not develop a relationship with them. If you are merely a presenter of information, retention is poor as is student satisfaction.
In vocational schools like the one I teach at this factor is essential. Often times these students do not have anyone that believes in them or that encourages them towards success. In my six years of teaching I have seen many teachers use Human Factor to affect change in many peoples lives. When a student feels that the instructor truly cares about them and is rooting for thier success the student often feels compelled to make the instructor proud by being successful. Failing an exam often brings feelings of shame or disappointment as if they failed their instructor.
The human factor is crititcal to retention. Idf a student feels cared for and valued, the student will want to remain. It is that simple.
I think the human factor is very important in student retention. Students need (and like) to know that the teacher is a caring and understanding individual. Instructors need to demonstrate these traits every class by listening and showing empathy.
Adult learners need to have an active role in the educational process. They may have had hugh successes in their lifetime and can bring that information as an addition to the learning process. They will probably rebel and bring disruption to the classroom if they have an instructor who dictates or does not explain the relevance to classroom procedures. Knowing the students names as soon as possible makes the students feel that you care about them as individuals.
