Basing the "human factor" to equate with fair and caring, I can see no other way that a student would retain subject material in any class if they didn't feel that (1) their presence in the class was valued, (2) that the instructor was knowledgeable and fair and caring and (3) the material being presented to them had relevance to the career choice they are pursuing.
I feel that is one of the most important things you need to remember when you are an instructor. You need to hold students accountable but you also need to be fair and remember that most students have very difficult lives outside the classroom walls. You need to be sensitive and caring and let the student know that you are an advocate for them and you want them to suceed, that is how you keeps students coming back and help them obtain career success.
Crystal,
It all comes down to respect and rapport. You are right on with your comments. To be valued is to be respected and to be respected is be seen as a human being in search of success. This is what learning should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is very important in regards to retention. Students do not want to feel like just a "student ID number" or tuition payment. They need to feel valued and respected. They also need to feel a connection with the instructor, the course material, the school and their classmates.
Jeremy,
This is so important in the educational and career development of students. These connections establish the fact that someone cares about them and their success. In addition, they know they have someone there to back them up and provide support should it be needed. This is a big confidence builder.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's imperative to make the contact and develop a relationship. This relationhip leads them to almost feel a responsibility to you the instructor to perform at their highest level. They start to hold themselves accountable because they know someone else is doing the same thing.
Shalonda,
This is such an important fact to consider when approaching students. We instructors need to establish a connection with our students and earn their respect. It is from respect that rapport is developed and this is how students become an integral of a class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robert,
Thank you for sharing this example with us. Above all things we instructors need to remain flexible in our approach to working with our students. Yes, we as you mention have our policies and requirements but there are always life challenges that come up in the lives of students that require some decision making in relation to that situation. This is the human factor that we need to bring into play as educators and needs to be done on a case by case basis. Over the years I have tried to make the right decisions in cases like the one you mention. Have I been taken advantage of and lied to, yes is the answer but I would rather er on the human side rather than lose a student. For the students that took advantage of or lied to me I figure it will all even out for them later on in life because these students generally operate on the edge all their lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Everyone like to feel important and respected. Therefore, when students feel like the are just a number or tution dollars, they may not seek the assistance they need. This assistance may be vital to them understanding the material that was taught or to them navigating difficult times in their personal life.
The human factor is extremely important in student retention. Human beings create laws, rules, and regulations to guide our behavior. When the motivation of an instructor is simply to abide by regulation and rules, these instruments designed to heighten and define the human factor become more important than the human factor, which can swiftly lead to Fanaticism or Fundamentalism. The rules exist for the people, the people do not exist to serve the rules. Making exceptions for those who need exceptions is not an unfair practice in view of those who do not need exceptions. Sometimes the circumstances of life go beyond our ability to react in a proper format.
I had a student who experienced a severe domestic dispute, resulting in the physical loss of her classwork and documentation. The student required extra time before an assessment was to be given to catch up on material she had already exercised. The exception was not a difficult one to grant and the student did nto have a chronic record of requiring exceptions beyond a reasonable standard. This kept the student from dropping the class and inspired her to continue her studies in her program.
Gwendolyn,
So true and an essential part of teaching success. A human connection sets the foundation for respect, rapport and trust. Once those three elements are in place then learning and student engagement will really take off.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
First and foremost, it is imperative that an instructor connects with his/her students; that is why the human factor is one of the most important factors. If you let the students know that you really care about them, most likely you will gain their trust. After all you have to reach them in order to teach them.
Colin,
Good comments and analysis on student retention. Student retention is a big factor as it impacts first and foremost students. If they are not in school they are not moving forward with their career goals in a formal way. Retention is also essential for school success based the factors you mention like state and national accreditation. When retention is increased it then becomes a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Denise,
Your last sentence really captures your approach to teaching. You are a student centered instructor that demonstrates how you care about them and their success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the human factor is one of the key differences between career schools and "traditional" higher education. Career schools are measured based on their retention by most States and Accrediting bodies. So, to me, the human factor is the MOST important part of student retention.
To me,that begs the question of how does a school or group of schools normalize the human factor and apply it consistently? No two situtations are the same, however, we have to ensure consistency in our treatment of students and application of policies and procedures. The school that can get all instructors and staff to provide a consistent "minimum" human factor relationship standard and can keep the faculty and staff from overstepping boundaries (especially legal and ethical boundaries) is the school that will increase retention the most and maintain it the most consistently.
someone once said"Don't treat people the way you like to be treated but the way they like to be treated"
i think being an effective leader whether in a classroom or in other settings,you need to listen,study your audiance,be genuine, and be passionate with what you do.
The human factor is one of the main components of teaching. Students look to their instructors for fairness, equality, and someone who cares about their success. The human factor provides the student with a comfortable, trusting environment to seek you out when they need a boost, assistance with a class, or just a shoulder to cry on.
Establishing the human factor and good rapport with my class is one of my strengths and is essential to my success as an instructor.
Liza,
Good point about helping students to see that you understand where they are coming from and that you are there to help them be successful if they will put forth the effort needed. This can be a win win for them if they want success bad enough.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sharon,
Right you are about the human factor. It is a critical part of what we offer as instructors. We need to respect our students and in return earn their respect. As a result then rapport can be established and retention will be enhanced.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
These students come from all walks of life and lending an ear most of the time is all they ndd, but always add that they walked into your institution for a reason and those reasons have not disappeared. they have to remember the only way to overcome their roadblocks in the future is to complete and succeed in higher learning.
