I, also have refered students to social-economic help in their time of need. It creates a connection with the individual and encourages them to succeed because they know you care about them and they want to be successful.
I feel that being a fair to all the students is an important factor. We have so many challenges in our classrooms that we don't need to add favoritism to the mix. Everyone should feel like they are part of the group and by doing the daily acknowlegements when they come in to class helps everyone feel valued.
The Human Factor is the key to student retention. Students want to feel important and that they are appreciated. You need to learn their names the first day of class and greet them daily reciting their name and engaging them in conversation that is of interest and relative to their personal background.
You can learn about their background and experiences by engaging them in conversation and asking them questions and then addressing them again at a later date. This makes the student feel impoertant because you remembered something about their personal past.
I often relate experiences where I had "tried & failed" despite doing my best when I worked in the industry the students are studying to enter. I feel that it adds the "human element" of occasional failure, where one must "try and try again". When I was new in the industry, I made an embarrassing mistake and took it hard. An older co-worker told me a story about a mistake that HE once made and said to me "nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes from time to time, so chalk it up to a learning experience". It was one of the most important moments in my career, as I had thought "maybe I'm not cut out for this" upon making the mistake. Knowing that even seasoned veterans have shortcomings from time to time helped put me at ease in the industry, and that is how I try to add the "human element" for students.
Terry,
Yes, you do. What are some ways you work at engaging your students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You lose the student as soon as you stop trying to engage them
Jeanne,
Well said. The human factor is one of the rewards we receive as instructors. I greatly enjoy the interaction I have with my students and how I can help them to move toward their career goals. As a result I look forward to coming to class and sharing with my students. This is not to say that some classes are challenging and I have to work hard to maintain my enthusiasm when a class session doesn't go as I would have liked it to.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe the human factor is very important in retaining students. They have to work very hard to be successful and it is important to know that their efforts are recognized and are helping them to succeed in their chosen field. They need to have someone caring, enthusiastic, treating them fairly, knowlegable about the subject and able to show them how and why this knowledge is important to their success. I also have a high level of curiosity and encourage them to develop their curiosity. They need to be able to ask questions and get extra help when they are stuck or not connecting with the material. I frequently tell my students that the only dumb question is the one they have but are afraid to ask. I let them know that I encourage questions and if I am not understanding their question or am not answering it for them there may be another classmate that can help me understand what they are asking or can help them understand from their perspective. I am able to tell them I do not have the answer to some of their questions but encourage them to try to find out and encourage the class as a whole to try to find out. I think it helps the students when they realize I do know everything and am ready to admit it but there are always ways to find most of the answers.
Mariesol,
I agree. Knowing that an authority figure in this case their learning leader cares about them individually is so important to their getting settled into the class and feeling like they can be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Human factor may be one of the most important factors in helping the students feel focused, comfortable during class. Letting students know that you can empathize with the struggles of being a student will help them relate to you as an instructor and clinican.
Nelson,
So true and so important to the success of our students. They need to know we will support them if they will put forth the effort needed to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is probably the most important factor in student retention. if they student doesn't feel like he can "connect' with the instructor he/she will not show interest in the subject taught. As an instructor it is extremely important to show respect and aknwoledge the students. Positive feedback stablishes a rapport with the students and keeps them motivated.
Kathleen,
We have to be the model for learning and when we aren't then students will start to withdraw. You make a very good point about how important the human factor is on retention.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Exactly, I remeber some instructors that were there and not engaged in teaching and the whole class lost motivation, as instructors we have a hugh responsibility to keep our students engaged
Sherry,
The human factor is so essential because many students need the influence of an authority figure to validate their progress. Having rapport with an instructor can make a big difference in the effort put forth by students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is very important because it let the student know that you care and will be there throughout their learn process. Students will more likely stay if they know that they are valued.
This was well spoken. I have learned through many years of being instructor that not one class is the same.
The human factor is very important in the class setting especially in today's classroom. We have a diverse age group and learning capabilities and you have to be human and understanding that some will grasp the material faster than others will and you need to give them the extra attention to understand the material. This will help your whole class understand what you are teaching
Ricardo,
This is the human factor in teaching. Helping adults understand that you understand and can relate to their challenges is an important part of providing instructional support. This is how rapport is established and developed with students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think it is the most important factor in helping to keep students enrolled. Many mature students have many other issues going on outside of the classroom, maybe they have children, they have a job , they have other family members to take care of, all of which can be overwhelming and create all kinds of problems . When an Instructor takes the time to listen and show that he or she cares about the challenges the students are facing and assists in directing them to a solution, then I believe the student feels valued and that they are less likely to give up on the course. They will still have problems but will not feel like they are alone, they will have a more positive attitude and be able to cope better with all the challenges that arise.
