Marita,
It really is. It is surprising that they even show up at school when they are living in such situations. That says a lot about their desire for success even if they do present challenges along the way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Marita,
So true. Enthusiasm is catching if we bring it to our classes each time they meet.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students enjoy to be active in class more if we use their own experinces as examples of cases
Being able to detatch from our personal problems while at work is an important skill to impart to students. A positive high energy attitude is highly infectious and can help a student to forget thier problems for a while at least.
We have this problem at our school too. Often when you question students you find out things like they are living in cars with a bunch of kids and no income. How sad.
I agree. Looking forward to class and enjoying the material, play a big part in retention.
Marie,
I agree about how important this is to keep the students focused on how they can be successful while giving them support so they can be forward focused and continue progress toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is very important to let the struggling student know that you acknowledge their situation, sympathize with it, will help them (if possible) after class time, but during class they must try to focus and use the class time as effectively as possible. It is a tough but valuable work ethic they must learn because in the workplace this is what they must do to keep a job.
Janet,
Good comments about the value of student engagement and faculty support. The human factor is the critical link to helping students be successful and stay enrolled.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is extrememly important in student retention. If a student is having issues outside of the school no matter what they will bring the issue with them to class. Instructors should get to know their students and realize when something is not right. By talking to that student after class the instructor may be able to help with the issue at hand or direct the student to who could help. This added attention can possibly help retain the student in the class.
Dorothy,
Respect and rapport are important to have in a class and with the students. Once these are established then it is as you know a building process in terms of relationships with the students for the duration of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been an instructor for many years, students have a need, they generally look up and have resect for their instructor and they want to feel accepted and favored ,safe and they rely on us for sucess.
Shamika,
This is so sad but not uncommon in higher education. The good news is that you have these experiences in your background so you can take them and create your own way of relating to and supporting your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is very important to use the human factor. There are so many times in my graduate studies that I was completely annoyed by my professors and their lack of communication with students. I wanted to drop so many classes and pray for a new professor. They were always talking at us but didnt care if we were involved in their topics or understood their assignments.
The human factor keeps your students attentive to the instructor, because they feel they are respected and treated fairly so they are more apt to pay attention because they have already been validated.
This is one of the most important factors in retention of our students. They must feel important and that the courses they are taking are going to benefit them as individuals. They need to be able to speak with their instructors and have that instructor take the time to listen and hear what they have to say. It may not be something you can change in the course but at least they feel like their opinion is relevant.
Always try to let the student know how much you respect them and that as their instructor we are their to help and guide them though the class.
The human factor is what makes teaching worth while to me. If I can express with true sincerity my concern and compassion for a student, I can break through the barriers that they have built from their life experiences. I think the worst thing as an instructor that you can do is forget that these people has lives, many times very difficult ones, outside of the classroom. Coming to school should give them hope that they can have a better future.
The human factor is very important in instructor. Most of my students have very little connection to anyone in "authority" and many of those experiences have been poor for them. By letting students know that I see them as a person, that I remember their name, that I teacht o them and respect them I find they are encourage dto come to class. By making my class a fun, safe place to be the student looks forward to coming to class. By enforcing the policies that this campus has set forth and my own personal classroom rules I also create a structure for the student in which he or she can operate. I try to explain things in several different ways so that all understand. Treating all of my students with respect has always worked well for me as I have always gotten that back from the students in return. Because of my attitudes toward my students they are more than likely to communicate with me when something is going wrong (as well as right) and I can assist them before it becomes a retention issue.
Sandra,
Right you are about the human factor and how it impacts student retention. Having an instructor that cares about their success and is supportive of their efforts is so valuable for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
