Brady,
This is a very important part of the instructional process. The more you know about your students the more you can customize your approach and as a result you will have a higher retention rate of both students and content. A win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When a student comes to class and this is the highlight of their day or week it is a plus. This is so important to be able to leave the unrulely husband or kids at home and to do something for themselves. It could be just getting the new classmates they have found that allows them to vent. It is like coming to work to get peace and quiet and getting respect, then having to stay home all day with five teenagers, get it. This is so important for us as instructors to get.
This represents a huge piece in keeping the student. Student retention as it applies to completing a program is one thing, but a failure in using appropriate human factors can cause an instructor to lose the students just within the classroom. For example - "turning off" a student by using inappropriate language, a "off" analogy, etc, all can cause the loss of the audience. The basis all comes back to knowing the audience - the student. Why are they there, what motivates them? Then doing those things to keep their interest and to get them through the program.
Julie,
This is one of those hard to measure variables because we as instructors may never know how much influence we have on keeping one of our students in school. By displaying our caring and support we are showing them how much we care about them and their future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with this statement. I try to keep this type of momentum going and make extra efforts to give them reason to come to class.
Susan,
I love the informal interaction I have with my students because I get to know them more as humans rather than just students. Also, these chats help to form the foundation for the development of rapport, not to mention they are just fun. My students seem to always have some experience or activity that amazes me and I get to learn about it. One of the reasons I love being a teacher.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
EDWARD,
This is such a good point to remember as we work with students. The human factor is needed by instructors if they are going to earn the respect of their students and then develop rapport with them. We are there for them and in return we ask that they put forth the needed effort to learn the material or skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to come to the classroom early and "chit chat" with the early students. Hear what happened to them today and apply what we have learned in class to what they do at their jobs.
I learn their names quickly as I can and verify I got it right until I do.
I listen and treat each and every one of them as if they were my customer and I was a commissioned sales rep in a high end boutique.
Since all humans have a need to be accepted and loved, we all have a sensitive side that each instructor must be able to touch. All need a sense of a belonging and if instructors can touch that side of the student, the student will realize that the instructor cares for him/her and has a genuine desire to for the student to suceed.
Joy,
Your last sentence really captures how we need to approach our students. They need to feel that they are part of the class and that they have a person in authority, the instructor as a support. This way they will see how they can be a member of the learning community and make contributions to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is extremely important in student retention. Students cannot go through school feeling that they are one of a herd of students being processed through. They each have to be recognized as an independent human being with unique talents and experiences. Every single student needs to be recognized as an individual.
LeAnn,
Great goal to have. I wish you much success in achieving it each time you step into the classroom.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gary,
Like your definition of the human factor and how to make it a part of your instructional style. I am sure as a result of this effort students will be engaged and retained.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The high point of the day for students in my classroom will be my goal.
The main message of this unit is to be fair yet caring about each student. The human factor means that each individual is coming to class with different backgrounds, experiences, skills and expectations. The teacher attempts to personalize the material to make it relevant to each student while maintaining a standard of fairness and competency. If it works well retention levels will be high.
Robert,
Yes we are there to impact their career development and as such we need to offer a variety of engagement activities that will assist them in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's the most important factor. While we are not here to entertain the students, we are surely resonsible for engaging them in meaningful ways, and demonstrating our commitment to their success.
Bonita,
You make a good point with your discussion in relation to connecting with students. They need to see that they are valued and that their instructor is there to support their learning if they are willing to put forth the needed effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Making students feel they are valued is important to retention efforts. If a student feels valued, he or she will engage in the classroom more often. Once a student feels connected they want to contribute to discussions and learn.
MALCOLM,
The more you can make your content come alive the better. You are doing that with the example you have shared with us. Once students realize that they in fact can use the content of a course like yours in their personal lives you have increased the ROI for them significantly.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
