If a student feels like I care for them then they will be more comfortable in asking for help when struggling.
The human factor is huge. Leaving the students aside for a moment, think about the time you came to work after having an argument with your Wife or husband. Were yo enthusiastic, poositive, or excited about your class. The class doesn't know if you are poor instructor, too advanced of an instructor, or if you are just having a bad. On stage performance will affect if the students desire to stay in your program or not.
Personal knowledge of the situation each student faces helps guide the type of praise or criticism I provide. If a student is having a tough time outside of class, a little gentleness goes a long way.
Students have to feel like you care about them personally in order to engage themselves in their class. Adult learners especially need to feel thier choices are validated by instructors whom they view as having the life experience they themselves are hoping to achieve.
Students are people first, with needs, wants and desires as well as fears and doubts.
Instructors need to put themselves in the student’s place and address student concerns as if they were our own. By relating to the student and by giving positive reinforcement and establishing a positive learning environment and supportive community we can help foster a sense of belonging within the classroom and the cohort.
Venusa,
One of the major parts of our instructional planning should be how we are going to demonstrate to our students the "human factor" in our teaching. Knowing they have a professional educator that respects them is important if they are to stay in school and complete their courses.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Human factor plays a vital role in student retention because it enhances student acknowledgment and fosters the sense to belong. Students, just like any other human being need to feel that they belong and that, they find their place in the institution, not only as student but also someone who needs to be validated, acknowledged and heard.
Jumana,
Listening is a powerful learning tool. By listening and keeping the students directed toward their career goals you are helping them be successful. This is an important part of being an instructor.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
RUTH,
I agree and support your point. A strong human connections helps to reduce student fear and get them settled into the course. From there on it is a building process to the establishment of rapport.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Connecting with a student is very important as it creates a rappo with them. They know that if they have any educational problem they can come to you for help. I help in re-entering the student and I have experienced that if I had the connection with the student it is easier to get them back or just making sure that they don't drop out of the program in the first place. I cannot solve all their problems but when they can vent it out somewhere, where there will be no judgement made it helps to retain the student.
Dr. Meers,
The human factor is important in student retention I feel because it facilitates the student asking for help. If the teacher presents herself as kind and caring, the student is more likely to reach out for help whether for achedemics or for some social need.
The human factor is very important in student retention. One of the other postings mentioned something about coming to class should be the highlight of a student's day. I do think htat students should look forward to coming to class, but I feel compeled to mention that it should be because of an active and exciting learning process and not because class is going to be a social party event. With that said, when an instructor is warm, inviting, nurturing, caring, helpful, and exciting, student retention is likely to increase -- because who wants his/her learning experience to be painful, anyway?!
Shelle,
Critical thinking and problem solving are two essential elements of career and personal success. So the more you can help them develop skill in these areas the greater impact you are going to have on their success. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Many of our students have a difficult time problem solving. They come to school with loads of baggage, much more than I have ever had to deal with at any one given time. Understanding their challenges is of the utmost importance, but one cannot make exceptions for students unexpected life occurrences. I believe in helping students learn to problem-solve. This assistance shows the student you genuinely care about their challenges by offering help for them to figure out ways to deal with the challenges. Simply asking them questions about their day-to-day activities can help them begin to create those basic problem-solving skills they lack.
Instructors have to be conscious of student needs and feelings, not generalize the individuals, but really hone in on the needs of every student; it makes students fell like they belong and they keep coming back.
I agree with students need to want to come to class and learn
Scott,
I like the way you have laid out the human factor of teaching. It is critical to keep students engaged and progressing toward their career goals. I know you are impacting the lives of many students with this approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The best way to bring the "human factor" into play is in developing a rapport early on with the students. Having them introduced to the "human side" of the instructor is the way I try to achieve this. We all have obstacles, whether they are speed bumps or Mt. McKinley. We have to see the value of the journey.
I try using a S.W.O.T. analysis breakdown with the students asking them for their strengths and weaknesses. Within the weaknesses, I look for a way to rephrase them in a more positive manner. For example, if I have a student say they are "a slow learner". I talk to them about the possibility of it being more of a "deliberate" approach rather than "slow". We move to discuss the opportunities and threats we face and what we do to plan for and overcome the threats.
By addressing the "human factor" early and often, the students understand the need for personal responsibility as well as striving to reach their goals.
Jonathan,
Right you are about the instructor being the big factor in retention. The students need to know that their instructor is there to support them if they are willing to put forth the effort to be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
There is a huge variety of adult learners at this school, and each of them seems to feel like when they are in need, all the resources of the school should be coming to their aid. The human factor helps to mitigate the frustration of such a student. Also, being in class and feeling overwhelmed with information is a common occurrence, so being the instructor who is able to understand and help provide options makes you very valuable to retention.
