Cynthia,
Thanks for sharing this story with us. It is things like this that keep us coming back to the classroom or lab year after year. You have impacted the life of this student and she is looking to you as a model of what she wants to be. I wish both you and she much success in the future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cynthia,
Good to hear because the result will be students that are patient focused when they leave the program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is extremely important in student retention. Students must enjoy the classroom experience and want to be there. It must be relevent to them personally and/or their career goals to be viewed as something worth their time. Their time is valuable as many of our students have jobs, children etc. I try to make a point of connecting with each student so they feel their presence in class is valued by me. This makes them feel that the learning process is active and they don't want to miss out.
I wholeheartedly agree. I just recently received an email from one of my students during winter break stating that she, "couldn't wait to get back to class!" What an encouragement to me as an instructor! Granted, it is likely that not all my students feel this way, but it is what I strive for!
The human factor is essential in the medical world and is at the top of list during my class sessions.
Deborah,
Very good point about the contribution the human factor makes in helping students achieve success. Instructors value the connections they make with their students and how they have helped students move toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Billy,
Well said. Student centered instruction is where we must find ourselves as teachers. What makes teaching so much fun is the human factor because it enables us to connect with our students and facilitate their career progress.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor in Retention has help me alot in the classroom. When the student see that the Instructor is not just there to get a paycheck or if the student can see and visualize that the Instructor has been in the same place that they are now in the class this became a excellent learning envirnoment for me as an Instructor as well as the students.
Ryan,
This is what I enjoy about teaching as well. Interacting with students, earning their respect and then developing rapport with them are all contributors to my growth as a professional educator. It is what keeps most of us coming back to our classrooms and labs over and over again.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is huge. Whenever policy and or procedure trumps humanity, demise is all but certain. In all things, humanity must be weighed. Students are the # 1 priority.
I find it almost the most important part of my job. Realistically they can read the book and answer the questions etc on their own...afterall...look at on line learning. TO me that human factor is what separates me from other teachers. I genuinely care about my students. I will bend over backwards to work with my students. If they succeed, I succeed. When they fail I fail. Now don't get me wrong there are times when being in school just isn't the right time and we try and work through that the best we can. But a student that is dedicated and focused and desires to be in my class will love it and thrive.
Mary,
This is a fun part of being an instructor. Getting to be creative in how you set up a class and lead students to the next one is a reward of teaching. Once you have done this you will have them looking forward to coming to class and be excited about what is going to be covered. A win win situation for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I want my students to look forward to coming to class; if they dread it, absenteeism will increase. An instructor needs to remember what it was like being a student in a boring class vs. a stimulating class. I like to tell stories about my past work experience that are relevant to the topic currently being studied.
Arif,
You make a very good point about the human factor. This is the core of student centered instruction. Putting the student first in terms of instructional planning will result in a higher level of engagement and this is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Human factor plays a very significant role in student retention. Dealing with students is dealing with human beings. We cannot ignore the human factor. If the student is humiliated, the student can get frustrated resulting in a drop out. In order to deal with students we need to understand their feelings,emotions and needs.If we treat them with respect and fairness it is one step forward towards student retention.
Aleah,
So true and so important to the learning process. Students need to know that they are being viewed as individuals with goals and dreams for a future. When they know that they can start to appreciate the courses they are taking and the progress they are making in their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's the most important factor in student retention. Everything is based on emotion. By recognizing our students as human and emotional beings we instruct in a way that is fair yet empathetic, which makes a difference.
Liz,
You hit upon such an important point in terms of validation from someone that is an authority. As the instructor we are the learning leaders and when when reinforce a student and provide input on their success in the class we earn their respect and start developing rapport with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As adults and with most situations that we deal with on a daily basis, I feel that we all need to have that validation that someone cares about us and what we are going through. If we get brushed off by someone then we feel that we are obviously not wanted in that realm. Involving the Human Factor to the extent of validation is a great tool in retention. We cannot solve everyone's problems but sometimes just being able to vent our frustrations and be validated is the key to helping.
Lydia,
This is a very good point. Due to a variety of life challenges the students come to school to not only expand their career options but also to find themselves in a number of ways internally. Finding some balance in their lives and spending some time reflecting where they are in terms of life steps is so beneficial. As the instructor you are there as their learning leader to help them as they move forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
