human factors
absolutely, students need to know that we care and will support them as much as we can in their learning process
John,
Having taught in such a setting I understand what you are saying. The fact that these individuals are even in school is amazing due well be able to make progress toward their career goals. Understanding needs to be there and it is obvious that you are giving that along with support.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My adult students have so many things going on - many of them difficult and tragic, that I have had to adjust some of my time constraints. Students getting fired, getting beat up by a boyfriend, having an epileptic seizure, death of a family member, car problems, etc. My students must all meet the course expectations, but there is grace with the timeline.
Joseph,
This approach helps to make the content come alive for the students. They see both relevance and application with these stories and examples and this increases their retention of the content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to make the subject matter tie into one of my own life experiences. It shows a human side to myself.
Alex,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your comments I know will be of help to other instructors that are seeking to expand their expertise in the classroom. By setting your sights on including every student in the learning process you are modeling what a learning leader should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I first started teaching (many years ago) I found myself doing well especially with the active and eager students who participated well and who enjoyed my approach. I noticed over time that, on a regular basis, I was not paying much attention to the students who were sitting back, participating less or not as engaged with me in class. I realized that this was a failing of mine. It was easier for me to deal with the eager, forthcoming students than it was to figure out how to reach and engage the students who were "hiding". At that point I realized that I was not really being a teacher, a full teacher, if I was only connecting to the "easy" and friendly students. After that realization I made it a point to reach, acknowledge, question and engage the "hiders". It worked. I became a better teacher. My classroom became a fuller learning environment and more students were participating and some would even have break-throughs in this area.
Lissa,
By being consistent with your expectations, policies and requirements. By setting boundaries you will be helping to shape the career development of your students. You can display your human side but always retain the professional attitude needed to remind your students that you are the learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that some students will take advantage of the human part of being an educator. How can I discourage this type of behavior and still encourage others to open up and invest in the learning relationship?
Namisha,
This is the human part of being an educator. Demonstrating that you care about them is the foundation for the development of rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
