The human factor in retention is a very important part of an instructors job. If students are supported and encouraged in class they are more likely to keep attending that class. We all need to be told we are doing good and sometimes that is the only time that they hear encouraging words. They stay more focused on their career goals.
An instructor that is reachable, accessable and available to students can easily bridge the learning gap - that divide that seperates the instructor from his/her students. This enable the instructor to connect on a more personal level, as that of a respected mentor - with out crossing the line and being though of as a buddy.
This will open the door for better presentation of materials, concepts and ideology.
professional caring..the student is not part of your family..this is shallow water and should be shed lightly.
Hi Ross,
Good point about the need to establish rapport with students. With rapport comes respect and that creates a comfortable learning environment for everyone.
Gary
It is extremely important to develop a rapport with each student and make them feel important and part of the class. No one likes to be a number. A sense of belonging is necessary to keep students enrolled. Each student has certain needs and being a good listener and available to all students is a critical element in student retention.
I try to relate to all students in my class, every day. I try and make myself as human and approachable as possible.
Hi Christian,
It is legal if the students give permission for the photos to be taken. I have done this for years and have had only one student object which I worked around because I knew his name right from the beginning of the class due to the fuss he raised.
Gary
Hi Matthew,
This approach is so important for student satisfaction and success. I like the way you are accounting for the impact that life events influence the success of students at times. It is important that the students know you care about their success and that you will work to help them be successful if they will put forth the effort.
Gary
Extremely important! As suggested in Module 2, I do learn my student names quickly and make an effort to know something about their backgrounds, in order to be able to connect to it in my instruction, when applicable. However, I have not taken any pictures of my students in large classes to learn all names on day 1, as I was told once (8 years ago) that this is not legal to do. So, I must ask you: Is it legal to take pics of students (e.g. with my iPhone) at end of first class for the purpose of learning their names faster? Please clarify, as I like the idea. Thank you.
I teach in an on-line environemnt. The vast majority of the students I see highly value the schedule flexibility associated with on-line education. I try to express the human factor in a way that shows education is just another important facet of life. As such the students appreciate me as an instructor being flexible with them as other facets of life sometimes get in the way of the educational experience. I try to support balance in all of the facets of life.
Caring about and treating students with respect from day one is instrumental in their feeling 'safe' in class. Sincerety from the instructor also adds a caring factor. If the instructor cares, the students are more interested in attending class.
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for these informative comments. This is what being a student focused instructor is all about. You need to earn their respect and develop rapport with them so you can be of help and support as needed. This will enable them to continue their progress toward their career goals.
Gary
It has been my experience that students, especially the older non-traditional student, values respect, and approval for a job well done. Too often though, depending on how you are perceived, you might think you are doing as you should to maximize learning potentials, but you also must be human.. realizing they too have lives, concerns, families, children, and various other "things" which might become a distraction to success. By showing the student you actually do understand what its like to be a student.. (I relay personal experiences of continuing education seminars in Chiropractic and neurology which energized me, boon-doggled me but challenged me to reach for higher levels of understanding, and the like) and providing all of the compassion, empathy, yet authority required of being their instructor.. they will build self confidence, self-respect, and ultimately, self-reliance to further the educational goals they have set for themselves
Hi William,
Good point in relation to the role that students play in the school. They are customers that have the right to receive a quality education. As instructors we need to work at making sure this happens while the students put forth the effort to acquire the knowledge and skills.
Gary
In the business world, customer satisfaction and customer retention is the key factor to build a successful business. So the customers always come first. The same principle must be applied to our students in college. As an instructor I believe I am in the class because of my students and must try to identify their need and provide them. One way of identify the need of my students is to interact with them.
Hi Jody,
Right you are about needing to know each and every students as well as you can. How do you approach getting to know your students? I know a number of new instructors will benefit from your input.
Gary
Hi Ray,
Right you are. If you know someone cares about you and your success you will be motivated to perform at a level that brings success as well as self satisfaction. This is a message our students need to get.
Gary
Hi Janet,
So simple and yet so powerful. We need to always remember this when we are working with students. Share a little time with them and the results will be tremendous.
Gary
As an instructor you need to know each and every student, so you can help them the best way you can!
Human factor is critical to not only the success of the learner, but being able to retain the learner in the classroom environment.
