Anthony,
Well said. A class without respect either by the instructor or the students is going to be a very long one for everybody. With respect and rapport students can settle into the course and feel confident that they can be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Carolyn,
Right you are. Feeling accepted and supported creates a comfort level that enables the students to focus on being successful in the course. In addition, the students get to develop their human relations skills while encouraging each other.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
This is extremely important because students want to have someone whom they can identify with and respect. If you just treat students with no respect and/or direction, then they won't respect you and will have no reason to continue coming to class.
It is the most important factor. No individual wants to be in an uncaring environment. As humans we need reassurance that someones cares for us as well as our well being. Also, humans want must feel comfortable in their envionment.
Joel,
If we can help them directly or through referral to the appropriate agency to help them find shelter and personal support then we have performed a critical service in relation to keeping students in school. The students need to know we want them to be successful and are willing to support them if they will put forth the needed effort.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Tom,
So true. This is why I like teaching. I get to work with students with all kinds of life experiences and backgrounds. I get to learn each time I teach a class and that to me is a great reward as a teacher.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree with that comment , the students sometimes don't have even a place to live , that's why is so important to be a trusted figure , somebody that they can rely on.
The human factor is the most important aspect of school retention. Students can get the information anywhere, especially with the internet. They look for their instructors to teach them how to apply the subject and how it will be used in their daily life.
I agree, sometimes it is impossible to leave problems on the back burner. You have to weight out the problem, especially if it is regarding the basics of life.
Susan,
Well said. This is the human factor in teaching and we must never forget the impact it has on the success of our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The human factor is very important. You need to understand where your students are coming from, what they are up against and how they anticipate applying what they learn. You don't want them to feel like class or their program is impersonal.
Annette,
This speaks of your instructional style. You were able to encourage, support and help a shy student to contribute to the class. I know this young woman will remember this positive experience for years to come and I know it will help her to strive to achieve the goals she has set for herself.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Yes I agree. My first class of this semester was last week. Because of my personal style I felt I made a difference. A very shy young lady contributed to class and other students noticed. The human factor and create an environment where even a shy person can allow themselves to be vulnerable.
Sometimes the human factor is the only thing that provides a student with a sense of belonging, support and the realization that they can do the work and successfully complete the class.
Bulding a relationship will in the end help the student to retain information and want to come to school.
When it comes to retention of students, the human factor is the key.For example, a student will come to class again and again, only for the better service they recieve. The students must be made to feel that they a part of educational process right from the day 1. One of the simplest and most effective way is to learn the student names. By learning the student namesyou are demonstrating that you care about your students as human.
The human factor in retention underlies the learning. Students who feel that instructors are concerned for them outperform those who are treated indifferently.
The human factor is extremely important due to the fact that the students need to know the we as instructors care about them and their success.
I agree in the supportive environment, however not all issues can be caught. I had an 18yr old student who was well liked and very involved in class commit suicide with no outward signs. I felt "helpless" and could not understand how I missed it.
Extremely!! Students feel a responsibility to you and their work if there's a mutual respect.
