Get Your Students Hired
It is huge. I once did a research project for a pre-doctoral program that focused on retention.
What my research found was that students who can identify relevancy and have a respected adult/authority figure that shows care and concern are more successful and remain within programs despite previously dropping out.
One area in which I struggle is with getting too sucked into the human factor. Students that I have are masters at excuses, and I sometimes find myself being too sympathetic and cutting them too much slack, so they never make good progress in the course.
Steven,
Thank you sharing this example and the impact it had on you and your instructional approach. The human factor is a major part of why we are teaching. We need to realize the influence we have on the lives of our students and the models we are for them as they prepare to enter into their chosen careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The Human Factor in Retention is very important in the process of learning because it enables the student to be relaxed, involved and confident on what is taught. There is a personal connection that heightens the learning curve in the student. For example I took a class with an American Indian instructor on "Conquered Peoples in The Americas". She was my favorite professor who gave us Native American names and spoke from the heart. I'll always remember her creativity in remembering ones name, the spontaneity, humor and sincerity involved in her teaching method. I can barely remember the lessons who taught in a conventional manner. I do not want to be the latter where there is no bond to teaching. The Human Factor is an important association between student and instructor that demonstrates that you care about the student and their personal growth.
Shelly,
The human factor is an essential part of teaching success. By integrating our personality and support into the class structure we are helping our students to see how they need to conduct themselves when they are out in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find the human factor to be extremely important to student retention and success. My experience has shown that allowing myself to be "real" and sharing my own obstacles and professional life experiences puts my students and ease and compfortable to approach me for educational guidance.
Tommy,
Yes it is for the reasons you state. The human factor is what will keep many students in school and moving forward in their career development without they would be gone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kelly,
This is such a great way to provide student support. Your students are being provided the tools they need for success and in return they need to use these tools and put forth the needed effort that will help them have success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is very important because the student needs to know that you are there for them and that you want them to be able to succeed in the field with the knowledge you are providing them with as their instructor.
I identify my classroom environment as a 'stress free zone" disclose deadlines and suggest time management. I set up quizzes and reviews online so that they can experiment and find small successes every day. In every class I identify the "usefulness" of every lesson and ask them to discuss a possible application for each topic.
Rima,
So true and so important. The human factor is what will keep many students in school because they know they have an authority figure that cares about them as individuals and whats to help them succeed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Human factor is extremly important with all learners groups (any age )if you show that you care they will start carying as well...
Laura,
Yes, it is. It is also the fun part of being an instructor. Sharing the growth of students through support and encouragement helps them to be successful while we impact their lives. This is one of the rewards of being an educator.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The human factor is a pertinent part of retention. Students need to feel that the teacher and school has an emotional attachment to their success to help motivate them to come to class everyday. They have to know that the instrcutors and staff are humans also and can relate in someway to what the student has or did experience.
Amy,
Good point about the human factor. Yes we instructors can be supportive and help students move forward in the course but as you mention that does not change the meeting of the course requirements and they have to remember that as they deal with external challenges.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Naturally, the human factor plays a significant role in student retention. Every individual needs to be recognized as equally important and significant as everyone else, within the realm of the classroom. Knowing one's students' names and picking up on pieces of their unique personalities allows for more positive "human" interaction. Definitely, the instructor sets this tone.
That said, it IS important to remember that, despite external situations, circumstances and human happenstance, the students' attendance, contribution, and participation within the classroom must still be met.
Susan,
Knowing this helps students to see the value of the course and your role as their learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Wendy,
This is the human factor in teaching. Knowing that your instructor cares about you as an individual is important for students especially those that may be struggling with life challenges that could cause them to drop out.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is very important to feel like someone is there to help you through obstacles. I believe that we need to give our students a few moments to discuss and relay possible topics that are outside the course objective but that allow them to feel heard and valued.
Lori,
Well said. Sometimes the human factor is lost in the process of teaching and the result is the loss of students. Knowing their learning leader cares about them and their future is critical for keeping students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.