Brandon,
The human factor is critical to success for everyone. Students need it and instructors should practice it. The more students learn about how to interact with others the more successful they are going to be in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The Human factor is of enormous importance. Students. Keeping students in the seats and listening as machines can produce 100% tests, but the type of people and soft skills produced without human factors won't be of much value. The human factor will work with both the best and worst of students by letting them know of the care and fairness the teacher and school proliferate in the learning situation. Student presence is clearly presented as valuable and a contributing, and that will encourage students to bring motivation, effort and lots of other personal strengths to benefit themselves and others.
Gary,
You make a good point for us instructors to remember as we do our instructional planning. We need to be student centered as we plan our activities.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Humans need to connect, and as meaningfully as possible. The review of Maslow is instructional, as we must maintain awareness that human comfort and belonging has to be built and maintained "from the ground up."
Jeffrey,
I agree about the relevancy factor. It does need to be there because it is what brings value to the students. They can see that the content has value and is helping them move toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rose,
Thank you for these good comments about how you work with your students. I know these comments will be of value to other instructors as they work to find their style within the classroom. Truly the human factor needs to be integrated into all aspects of our student interaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe if people are engaged and/or find relevancy in a subject, they tend to be more enthusiastic towards participation. Once they have that drive, learning and retention factors increase.
I find that many students go through tremendous difficulties when they are not in class.I have learned to be sympathetic and empathetic, listen to their problems in a professional manner when they bring the subject up, and give them a few suggestions on how to handle it, I then suggest to them to take each moment of their day one at a time and to try their best to concentrate on the task at hand and before I know it they are concentrating on their school work in the here and now and its almost like they are relieved to be in class. to care for them as they are human beings instead of just as students is very helpful.
I agree and it is a great way to model the appropriate way to detatch from personal problems in professional settings. Making the point that we are human as well.
Jacquelyn,
This is what teaching should be about--student centered instructional planning and delivery. The more support of this type we provide the greater our retention will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Very, without this my numbers would drop. I try so hard to give each student what they need to achieve.
Linda,
Good step by step process to get students settled into the class and establishing yourself as the learning leader. Once this is done they are ready to hear about the course requirements and what your expectations of them is going to be. This method reduces their anxiety and gets them forward focused.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
On the first day of class, I introduce myself and give a little background information. I ask each student to do the same and why they decided to take my class. This process shows the students that I value each one of them individually. Next, I explain my expectations and ask the students to write on a piece of paper their expectations of me; as we know in the higher education realm, student success is built on student expectations, was the expectation met or not.
Kathleen,
As the learning leader you certainly do wear many different hats. This is the human side of being an educator and we need to work at fulfilling this role as well as the role of sharing knowledge.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding your student and their hurdles makes the instructor approachable and trust worthy. If the classroom is a safe place for the student, they will return. I have to be more than an educator, I wear many hats, such as counselor, parent, friend.
Maureen,
Thank you for this insight into the value of the human factor as a teaching tool. Your comments reflect this essential element of needed for teaching and learner success. This is how students become a part of the learning process. They see and know they have a caring professional that wants to help them to be successful. This shapes their perspective about the course and their field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dear Dr. Meers and Class, the human factor is invaluable in creating an environment that supports student retention. When I was a student, there were times when I knew the instructor/Professor, had no idea what my name was or what class he/she had me for. I found that disturbing as a student and have always worked toward making sure I know my students' names by the end of the first week of classes. I think it is also important as part of instilling the idea in students that the instructor is a human being, to show concern when students are falling behind in their assignments. It is important to meet with these students individually to encourage them to complete the assignments and to let them know that you are there as a resource to help them achieve success.
M. O'Connor
Laurie,
This is a challenging situation for many of our students. We educators work hard at trying to find financial support for our students and look for ways to be of help. In may cases we can be of help and sadly in others we are unable to find the needed resources.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gina,
This is such a good point and one we need to remember as instructors. Our class may be the only quiet and focused time our students can find support and encouragement. This respite is so valuable to them as they get ready to face life once they go home.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is difficult to set aside personal problems for adult students. As Janell stated, many students may have lower economic means. We see a lot of students with financial aid problems. They want so badly to further their education but may not receive private loans.
